Asian Video Content Spend Will Reach $15.1 Billion in 2026
A new industry report forecasts modest growth as streaming investments continue to displace traditional television budgets.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Media
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Video content spending across seven major Asian markets is projected to hit $15.1 billion in 2026, rising from $14.8 billion in 2025. This growth reflects a broader shift as media companies reallocate capital from shrinking television budgets into streaming platforms and local film production.
Why it matters
Media firms are under pressure to improve financial sustainability while meeting strong consumer demand for premium video-on-demand and local content. Successfully navigating this transition requires trimming costs and defending unique content libraries as traditional broadcast revenue declines.
Television currently claims 60% of total video investment, while online video accounts for 30% and film captures 10%. Korea and India dominate the landscape, together accounting for 80% of total 2025 investment.
The players
Media Partners Asia
This is a research and advisory firm that provides data and analysis on the media and telecommunications industry across the Asia-Pacific region.
Vidio
This is an Indonesian streaming platform that successfully achieved EBITDA-positive status in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Reliance
This is a major Indian conglomerate that merged its media business with Disney's Star India in 2024.
Disney
This is a global entertainment company that operates Star India and completed a significant merger with Reliance in 2024.
The details
Companies are reallocating capital away from linear broadcast toward digital distribution to capture the growing demand for online content. In India alone, viewers logged 420 billion hours of online video in 2025, where digital investment has already surpassed television spend.
Timeline
2024: Reliance and Disney merged their operations in India.
2025: Total video content spending reached $14.8 billion.
Q4 2025: Vidio achieved EBITDA-positive status.
2026: Total content spending is projected to reach $15.1 billion.
2031: Total content spending is expected to reach $15.4 billion.
Market Landscape
This regional trend mirrors the broader continental shift as companies prioritize digital distribution over legacy broadcast models. The reallocation of capital marks a defensive pivot as firms struggle to maintain profitability amidst the fragmentation of traditional media audiences.
Viewers can expect continued shifts in how and where content is released as providers move toward streaming-first strategies. These changes may lead to more localized content options but could also result in evolving subscription costs as platforms seek sustainable profitability.
The takeaway
Media companies are increasingly treating streaming platforms as their primary growth vehicle as television budgets face severe pressure. Consumers should anticipate that content availability will continue to migrate toward digital platforms while broadcast options diminish in total investment share.
Further reading
Explore deeper analysis of industry trends on the Media section page.
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