Japan Online Video Sector to Surge as Screen Industry Projected to Hit $34 Billion by 2029

As a seasoned movie buff and long-time observer of Japan’s vibrant entertainment industry, I must say that this latest report by Media Partners Asia is nothing short of intriguing. The projected growth in the digital entertainment landscape paints an optimistic picture for the future, with online video taking center stage.


As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share some exciting insights about the future of Japan’s digital entertainment scene! A recent analysis by Media Partners Asia (MPA) titled “The Future of Japan’s Video Industry” paints an optimistic picture. The report predicts that the online video sector will expand at a steady pace, with a 7% compound annual growth rate over the next five years. This means we can expect to see more high-quality digital content from Japan in the coming years!

As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to share some exciting forecasts about the future of our beloved screen industry! By 2029, we can anticipate a significant rise in total revenue – from the captivating stories on free TV, the premium productions on pay-TV, and the magic of theatrical releases – growing from approximately $31.8 billion in 2024 to an impressive $34.1 billion by 2029.

YouTube is the front-runner in the realm of user-created content, whereas Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and U-Next reign supreme in the Subscription Video-On-Demand (SVOD) market. TVer takes charge in the top-tier advertising-supported video category.

Japanese anime continues to hold a significant cultural and financial position, as it accounts for approximately one-third (36%) of premium VOD interaction up until the third quarter of 2024. In the year 2023, this format raked in $2.5 billion across broadcasts on TV, streaming platforms, and cinemas. Nowadays, streaming services make up around half (50%) of anime’s total income, while television follows closely with a share of nearly one-quarter (27%).

Over two dozen studios account for a significant portion – about 70% – of the best-performing streaming video on demand (SVOD) content. Among these, Japanese anime dominates with 117 out of the top 200 titles. The leading studios in this area are TMS Entertainment, TBS, and Aniplex, who have a strong influence due to their popular franchises and series. Furthermore, Hollywood productions from Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), Paramount, Disney, and Sony make up the majority of the most-viewed programming.

As per Vivek Couto, the executive director at MPA, the market is set for further growth. By 2029, fiber broadband is projected to be available in around 82% of households, while connected TVs are expected to reach approximately 51%. Notably, major telecommunication companies KDDI and NTT have established themselves as significant streaming partners.

Couto stated: “In the future, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and domestic titan U-Next are predicted to dominate subscription video on demand (SVOD) revenue. Disney+ will remain as the fourth biggest player, while Max is expected to gain a significant portion through its business partnerships with U-Next and eventual direct-to-consumer launch. Meanwhile, Tver, owned by free-to-air broadcasters, will expand its premium ad-supported video on demand (AVOD) sector, particularly in connected TV (CTV) monetization. Notably, the number of theatrical releases has returned to pre-COVID levels and local films maintain their popularity with a 70% share of total box office earnings at home.

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2024-10-22 09:46