Contact us anytime to know more — Abhishek P., Founder & CFO CISIN
Nearly three years have passed since the pandemic that caused significant disruptions and changes in content production, consumption patterns of media and more.
After overcoming these challenges, the industry is now seeing an impressive rebound in 2023, which includes increased travel, a return of live events and increased consumption of digital media. The world still faces an economic recession.
M&E firms are under constant pressure to reduce costs and increase revenues while maintaining rapid time-to-market.
In addition, increased competition in the market due to mergers and purchases, changes in consumer behavior, and new media platforms have created other challenges. What areas are most important and deserve investment in the coming year, given all of this?
Overview of Media and Entertainment Brands in 2023
The media and entertainment (M&E) sector is undergoing a transition as old and new coexist together. Over the past ten years, the interactivity, digitalization, proliferation of platforms and devices, and globalization of the service-based economy have all changed the way we consume media and entertainment.
The new Media and Entertainment Technology Companies and globalization generation, which includes Social Media, Mobility, Analytics, and Cloud Computing, is the driving force behind the transformation in the sector.
Several industries are combined in the vertical of media and entertainment. This comprises publishing, internet advertising, music, radio, movies/cinema/tv, and music.
In addition, there are differences within segments, sub-segments, and consumer segments in terms of trends and driving forces for the various parts. The vertical is distinctive in that various sub-verticals compete with one another, support one another, and collaborate to satisfy the worldwide demand for information and entertainment.
Additionally, the industry is reliant on outside variables and technological advancements like wireless, mobile devices, digitization, and internet speeds—social media, consumer analytics, cloud storage, etc.
Every generation has adapted to these changes. Social media is a significant influence on the media and entertainment industries today.
M&E has always been innovative, adapting to both societal changes and consumer expectations. The markets, cultures, and languages, as well as the different customer groups, are fundamentally important to the M&E sector.
Although there are numerous examples of international material, it is still crucial to highlight that there has been content that has successfully bridged not just the language divide but also segment boundaries. Because it is psychological, emotional, and aspirational, M&E has a distinctive appeal.
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Top Media and Entertainment Brands for 2023
CIS
If they want to be successful, media and entertainment companies must welcome new competition. They also want to use partnerships to accelerate business expansion.
The new business ideas, strategies, procedures, pricing plans, etc. can be developed and implemented. Cyber Infrastructure's Media & Entertainment solutions are changing the business landscape.
Media and entertainment are the fastest growing industries of the 21st Century. The explosive growth of the Internet has changed people's taste.
The new methods of broadcasting, such as streaming video, the social networks, mobile devices and more, have changed how people consume information and entertainment. As a result, the consumer has gained more power.
Apple Inc.
Apple Inc., headquartered in Cupertino (California), is one of the world's largest digital technology companies.
Apple's innovative products, such as iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, as well as popular services, like Apple Music and iCloud, are known worldwide. Apple has also expanded its services to include Apple TV+ and Apple News+. Apple's product success is a result of its dedication to user innovative highly experience and design.
Apple is renowned for its dedication to security and privacy. This has contributed to building trust among its customers.
Apple introduced new products in recent years. These include the Apple Watch Series 7 as well as the AirPods Max.
Apple has been working on augmented reality technologies and will release its first AR headset soon. Apple has a significant impact on technology and the way people live and work.
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Corporation, has played a significant role in the tech industry for more than four decades. Microsoft's most popular product is its Windows operating system.
Millions of people utilise it worldwide. Microsoft also provides a variety of products and services, including Microsoft Office and Xbox, as well as Surface laptops and tablets.
Microsoft's Azure platform has made significant investments in cloud computing in recent years. It offers businesses a variety of cloud-based services. Microsoft Bot Framework, Cognitive Services and Microsoft Bot Framework are all part of the company's expansion into AI and machine learning.
Microsoft is committed to sustainability and corporate social responsibility in addition to the commercial products it offers.
Microsoft has ambitious goals to reduce the company's carbon footprint, and it has invested heavily in renewable energies. Microsoft has had a significant impact on technology. Microsoft's services and products have revolutionized the way people work and enjoy themselves.
Its investment in leading-edge technology has made it a market leader.
Alphabet Inc. (Google)
Google and its several subsidiaries are all owned by Alphabet Inc., a global business with its main office in California.
Google is one of the most influential and well-known technology companies on the planet. Google's search engine is its most prominent feature, as it processes billions upon millions of frequent searches every day.
Google offers many other services and products, such as Gmail, Google Drive and Google Maps. Google also has products such as the Pixel smartphone and Google Home intelligent speaker.
Google has had a profound impact on the tech industry. Google's search engine transformed how we find information.
Its other products have also become a part of our everyday lives. Alphabet's focus on cutting-edge technology and innovation will allow it to make significant contributions in years to come.
Amazon.com, Inc.
Amazon.com, Inc., is an international technology company with headquarters in Seattle, Washington. It has since grown to be one of the biggest online retailers.
It has also expanded to a variety of entertainment businesses. Amazon's primary business is the e-commerce site, where it offers many products, such as books, electronic devices, clothes, and groceries.
Amazon has expanded its business into other fields, such as streaming media, Amazon Prime Video and Amazon Web Services, or cloud computing, with Amazon Web Services, and intelligent devices, with the Echo product line.
AWS is a cloud computing giant that has been adopted by companies of every size around the globe. Amazon also invests heavily in machine learning and artificial intelligence, with Amazon Rekognition, which analyzes and recognizes images.
Amazon's success has not been without criticism. It has also raised concerns about worker safety, privacy, and its effect on the traditional retail industry.
The company responded by implementing several initiatives that aim to improve working conditions while reducing the environmental impact. Amazon has had a significant impact on technology and commerce. Amazon's online shopping platform transformed how we do business, and its investment in new technologies has made it a market leader.
Developers.Dev
Developers.Dev's research highlights the goals and behavior of the entertainment executives that are trying to shape the next generation of media and entertainment companies.
Developers.dev's operational excellence and agile approach helps innovators reinvent their tech firms. It is important to streamline the daily business. The companies also emphasize the importance of reinvigorating innovation and improving the talent model through training.
The entertainment software companies and related sectors are going through significant changes as a result of shifting consumer patterns and a wide variety of technological advances.
Companies in the media and entertainment industries need to better understand their customers if they want to be competitive and competent. They must also develop digital innovative experiences that meet their needs. These scientific advancements and technological advancements may help us achieve this goal.
Read More: Media & Entertainment Software Solutions Great deal of Success Due to the Technology
Trends for Media and Entertainment Brands
Bundle Up and Brave the Weather with Streamers
In recent years, we've discovered that a large subscriber base is essential for long-term streaming success. The vast majority of direct-to-consumer (DTC) media firms now aspire to provide consumers with streaming content as well as additional services to build on the long-lasting legacy of the successful cable TV model.
Bundles allow media firms to spend their marketing budgets and technological expenditures more effectively while also increasing signups and reducing churn, which increases the subscriber lifetime value.
In comparison to a la carte sales, bundles let customers pay less for a wider variety of materials while still having a lower total cost. The reduction in the number of subscriptions that consumers must manage is another advantage.
In the beginning, streaming services offered "soft bundles" with DTC packages that were packaged for an affordable monthly price.
Media companies are now integrating different streaming services in one app, creating what is called a "hard bundle" of content. The app will allow consumers to seamlessly switch between content previously available on separate platforms or interfaces.
DTC providers can keep users engaged and subscribing to their apps by offering more range on one platform and for a lower price.
Media companies will look to add other services to streaming bundles to increase the DTC relationship with customers further and to raise the switching cost.
They are hoping to replicate the success of some large digital native platforms that have successfully linked the video subscription with e-commerce and lifestyle options such as fitness and music. To encourage long-term streaming relationships, media leaders will leverage assets in their portfolios or the portfolios of partners.
Immersive Entertainment Experiences
The consumer's behavior and expectations have changed dramatically over the past few years. This is reflected in the type of content produced by M&E and the entertainment space experience they provide.
The consumer has become more comfortable using digital tools and is expecting more on-demand and high-quality content. To remain competitive, M&E firms must change the way they interact with their consumers. You can, for example:
- Content providers should build omnichannel experiences that allow users to access content in a single place easily. It is essential to use non-traditional platforms such as AR, VR, and gaming.
- Local M&E companies concentrate on environments that combine physical and digital interactions and make use of IoT and augmented reality.
- Increase audience engagement by using omnichannel marketing via Web3 communities focused on brands and NFT products, allowing bidirectional communication with audiences.
These kinds of varied service offerings and content models will be necessary for the creation of new revenue streams.
Analysts predict that the entertainment and media industries will consolidate more in 2023. Media players may not be able to merge and acquire. Still, partnerships and joint ventures with other Companies can help them gain market share, increase investment and create synergies.
Deals with Media Companies are Still an Essential Part of the Puzzle
Investors' increasing pressure to reach DTC profitability is likely to spur further consolidation, particularly among smaller companies that depend on the cash flow generated from fading linear assets.
The strategic combination of streaming platforms will make the marketplace easier for consumers to navigate and create cost savings which can then be used to invest in marketing, technology and better content.
Some media companies will consider other alternatives if M&As are not feasible. Joint ventures or partnerships with peers in the industry can help accelerate entry into new markets, reduce investment costs and create synergistic benefits.
Many players will look at strategic deals or partnerships as an alternative to executing a simple acquisition or sale.
The Regional Sports Media has Changed the Channel
As subscriber numbers decline, regional sports networks (RSNs) are under significant pressure. This is due to cord-cutting by consumers and the loss of carriage for pay-TV providers who choose to stop carrying these networks instead of passing on high affiliate fees.
Lower revenues combined with high-fixed costs (i.e. rights payments to team owners) are driving down cash flow and raising questions as to the sustainability of RSN's business model.
To avoid disruptions, some teams and leagues have studied -- and, in some instances, executed -- the purchase of RSNs to position their business for the transition to DTC streaming.
Purchasing an RSN allows teams and leagues to connect more effectively with customers by vertically integrating content (games broadcasts, shoulder programming and distribution). RSN ownership will also allow for creative bundles. Offers include concessions and discounted tickets, fan-exclusive experiences, merchandise branded with the team, NFTs and sports betting tie-ins.
Additional revenue sources include advertising and sponsorship.
The risk of acquiring an RSN and then pivoting to streaming is high. DTC prices must be sufficiently high to cover current rights payments while still being accessible to subscribers to prevent churn during the off-season and periods when teams perform poorly.
It may be necessary for multiple professional teams to join forces to create a full-year programming schedule.
More Action in the Movies
Studios and exhibitors have been recalibrating the film business despite the success of this year's blockbusters.
The genres that "work" economically for theatrical releases vs a straight-to-streaming strategy are being examined by studios. For different genres, including action, superhero, horror, and family-friendly, studios have varied marketing plans, spending limits, and audience sizes.
Plans for studio releases are determined by business priorities, which are now centered on DTC. This indicates that movie producers are selecting which movies to stream.
Theater owners must adjust their financial and business models to accommodate the fact that fewer products will be circulating through their theaters.
They also need to remain flexible enough to maximize the profits from mega-blockbusters. Theatre owners communicate with customers in a variety of ways while also taking tactical activities related to loyalty transformational programmes.
Some exhibitors have restructured their balance sheets strategically and reduced the number of theaters to align themselves with market conditions better.
Studio managers can also help by coordinating release dates to make sure that there is a constant supply of movies in theaters, including during traditional peak periods such as the summer.
They should balance the schedule year-round. It will support exhibitors' operations and allow them to provide a good customer experience for moviegoers.
Modernization of the Media Supply Chain
The largest M&E firms have developed advanced media supply chain systems that are the foundation of their organization.
They cover the whole content lifecycle, from creation and planning to distribution, management and playback.
A similar issue to that of product manufacturers has also affected Media and Entertainment Solution Companies with digital media supply networks.
As technology and business needs have changed over time, media supply chains have also become more complex or redundant as a result of the patchwork of linkages. These supply chains' limited feature scalability and old user interfaces render them technologically dated as well.
For M&E companies with an aging supply chain, it can be challenging to reduce costs while still adhering to market deadlines. In 2023, many M&E firms will be undertaking media supply chain modernization initiatives, including:
- Develop scalable microservice-based frameworks for digital media supply chains that will make future enhancements and iterations easier.
- Create ways to manage rights, royalty requirements and schedules for different media assets within increasingly global content distribution agreements.
- Media asset management systems should be adapted to include more AI creative solutions to cope with the growing volume, size and diversity of media assets.
M&E firms can adapt more quickly to changing market conditions by automating their media supply chains. This is also a cost-effective solution.
Creative Technological Innovation
Many M&E firms have gradually shifted from focusing solely on entertainment and content to become companies that innovate in technology.
Most M&E companies have to deal with complicated creative workflows regularly, so they've had to develop innovative technology and processes to meet their needs in the back of the house. M&E firms that wish to succeed will have to show their technological ingenuity across all aspects of the business.
This includes consumer products as well as employee experience. You can, for example:
- Virtualization and cloud migration can reduce costs and increase flexibility.
- Investing more in content protection and cybersecurity technologies will help to reduce the growing piracy and address concerns about content and PII.
- We are diversifying the customer and employee experience by focusing on DEI, accessibility and diversity.
- You are tracking carbon footprints and developing more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
The innovations can provide new solutions for M&E firms that are not only cost-saving and efficient but could also generate revenue as these innovative solutions may have other applications.
Metaverse on Long-Range Radar
Media companies are preparing for the new age of interaction, even though the hype around NFTs has cooled as macroeconomics has taken center stage.
Strategic planning, R&D, consumer research, and technology are all areas of investment that media companies should focus on to maintain flexibility as the metaverse becomes a reality. Leaders in the media are examining how users will interact with content, buy and sell, or socialize within an immersive online experience.
Blockchain-based digital assets like NFTs are projected to have a significant impact on the metaverse's media value chain.
They will make it possible to pay for ownership, royalties, and digital identities while also offering offline connections to actual experiences.
Future company plans and revenue will be built on the experiments of today. Media firms are dedicated to carrying out the goal by making thoughtful investment decisions.
They will appoint committed metaverse ambassadors and provide them with skills in the fields of technology, economics, and law, as well as artistic and creative abilities who can assist in creating scenarios and fostering innovation. All signs indicate that the M&E sector will experience another exciting year in 2023. Leaders will need to take bold steps to adapt to these five trends and the many other ones that are influencing this industry to thrive and survive in an era of disruption.
Revenue Stream Optimization
In the face of a possible recession, M&E firms must focus more than ever on optimizing and evolving their revenue streams.
Focusing on the creation of ecosystems that connect experiences will allow brands to gather billions of customer data points in real-time.
M&E firms can personalize entertainment by understanding consumers through the analysis of the data that they generate.
Companies can use artificial intelligence and machine-learning models for content planning and recommendation engines to increase loyalty and revenue.
Companies can simultaneously update their existing subscription models and advertising campaigns. Many consumers subscribe to more than one streaming service, and more service providers keep coming on the market.
As many content providers merge, the possibility of cross-selling services and bundling is increased. You can, for example:
- Combining access to multiple digital streaming platforms into a single membership.
- Combining subscription streaming services with commodity services like mobile, internet or TV plans.
- Ad-supported subscriptions and sponsoring growth opportunity are possible.
M&E firms can increase their revenue by offering personalized services based on consumer behavior and compelling subscriptions.
Technology Investment
In 2023, innovative companies will invest in technology to improve their efficiency, boost creativity and reduce costs.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning will be used by media companies to accelerate workflows, improve customer engagement and speed up their processes. Virtual production will also be more popular among filmmakers, as it can reduce production time and move real-time CGI and visual effects from postproduction to real-life sets.
The non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse will remain in the spotlight. Their excitement sharply diminished in the second half of 2022.
The absence of speculators allows for the sector to be open to additional trials, which is viewed positively by many. Media industry executives research how consumers will interact with content, consume ads, complete purchases, and socialize online.
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Conclusion
Leaders in the media and entertainment industry must take action now to implement ambitious growth plans and position themselves for success.
2023 is set to bring about more disruption and digital transformation in this sector.
The coming year will likely be filled with excitement and innovation in the M&E sector. Still, it may also include a greater focus on cost reduction and revenue maximization to stay competitive in light of a possible recession.
In M&E, the line between operations and technology continues to become blurred as innovative solutions continue to help companies remain ahead.
Innovative Media and Entertainment Software Companies that seamlessly integrate tech into their business will have a competitive edge and be ahead of the game in 2023.
Your 2023 could be very promising if you combine suitable investments to increase value with a holistic approach, qualified resources and the correct strategic investment.
