Six Biggest Companies to Spend Record $126 Billion on Content in 2024, up 9%, Led by Disney

As someone who has been following the dynamic world of television and film production for years, I must say that I am truly captivated by the sheer scale of investment these global content giants are pouring into their projects. The projected $126 billion spending by Disney, Comcast, Google, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, and Paramount Global in 2024 is nothing short of awe-inspiring.


As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news about the future of our beloved film industry. Despite the hurdles we face in TV and movie production, it’s predicted that the six largest global content companies, spearheaded by Disney, will collectively boost their spending by 9% in 2024, reaching an unprecedented $126 billion! This significant investment promises a wealth of new stories, characters, and experiences for us to enjoy.

The estimate originates from a recently published report by U.K. research firm, Ampere Analysis. These six companies – Disney, Comcast, Google, Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix, and Paramount Global – are projected to collectively spend more than ever before in 2024. This combined spending will make up approximately 51% of the entire content market, an increase from 47% in 2020, as per Ampere’s findings.

In simple terms, Disney is expected to continue dominating the media world, making up approximately 14% of global investments in TV and movie production by 2024. This year, Disney is projected to increase its content spending significantly, reaching an estimated $35.8 billion, which is around a 27% rise from the $28.3 billion spent in 2023. According to Ampere, Disney’s acquisition of Hulu has added an additional $9 billion to their total spending on content production.

In the year 2024, it’s anticipated that Disney will be surpassed in spending by Comcast/NBCUniversal, with an estimated expenditure of approximately $24.5 billion. Following closely are Google with around $17.6 billion, Warner Bros. Discovery with about $16.8 billion, Netflix with roughly $16.0 billion, and Paramount with around $15.1 billion.

To put it simply, Netflix has been leading the charge in global streaming content investment, shelling out approximately $14.5 billion a year on original and acquired shows since the pandemic. Analysts at Ampere predict that this spending will continue to increase in 2025, thanks to Netflix’s planned acquisition of sports rights for NFL games and WWE’s “Monday Night Raw.

Approximately $40 billion out of the projected $126 billion that six companies plan to spend on content is being channeled into their subscription streaming services, such as Disney+, Peacock, Max, and Paramount+. With production halts due to SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, these streaming platforms have adapted by focusing more on international strategies, a shift noted by Ampere. For instance, Netflix plans to spend 52% of their budget on international programming in 2024, while Paramount+ intends to invest 40%. This type of content is often less expensive to produce and has been found to be successful in attracting new and specialized audiences to the platform, according to the researcher.

Six Biggest Companies to Spend Record $126 Billion on Content in 2024, up 9%, Led by Disney

In other words, according to Ampere’s data, ‘operational expenses’ have been the most significant category of expenditure among these providers, amounting to over $56 billion and representing about 45% of their collective total spending since 2022.

2024 might witness a modest expansion in the variety of content, given that production schedules are likely to stabilize following pandemic-induced disruptions and union strikes among writers and actors. However, this growth rate could stabilize overall as companies reconsider their output strategies. According to Peter Ingram, research manager at Ampere Analysis, this shift may involve reducing commissioning amounts and emphasizing strategic investments and profitability to tackle the present difficulties in the media market.

Ampere pointed out that Google sets itself apart from other firms in their assessment due to its unique role in the content market. Primarily, it offers its influence through YouTube, while also investing in programming via shared revenue with content producers. Simultaneously, YouTube expands its worldwide reach by forging partnerships with prominent content providers, such as through YouTube TV and its agreement for the NFL’s Sunday Ticket football broadcast.

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2024-10-29 22:48