Our Scans · (ZY.4.18) Media Studies · Weekly Summary

• [New] The entertainment and media sector is projected to reach $2.6 trillion by 2026, driven by a growing demand for experiential leisure and social activities. INDESTROOM
• [New] Monthly active mobile AR users worldwide are expected to exceed 2 billion, driven by social media and retail use cases. Market.us Scoop
• [New] The global AI in media and entertainment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 25.22% during the forecast period. Polaris
• [New] In 2026, media organizations will fully grasp that AI is not primarily a tools problem, but a systems problem. media.am
• [New] Nearly four years after the launch of ChatGPT, in 2026, media experts and newsroom leaders around the world are trying to understand what new rules will shape journalism in the near future. media.am
• [New] The media success of libraries like Columbus Metropolitan Library and Los Angeles Public Library is going to drive more libraries to invest in creative storytelling. Super Library Marketing: Practical Tips and Ideas for L
• [New] Prediction: In 2026, social media will be more about connection than reach. Super Library Marketing: Practical Tips and Ideas for L
• [New] Paid media will remain an important traffic driver in 2026, but long-term success will be anchored in strong organic channels. Elite Site Optimizer
• [New] TikTok will begin to roll out new age-verification technology across the EU in the coming weeks, as calls grow for an Australia-style social media ban for under-16s in countries including the UK. The Guardian
• [New] Oxford research identified misinformation as a major threat to society and public health, with social media significantly contributing to its spread and global reach. Forbes
• [New] Creating non-consensual intimate images with artificial intelligence will become a criminal offence from this week, as media regulator, Ofcom, launches a formal investigation into Grok, X's AI tool, under the UK's Online Safety Act. FTI Strategic Communications
• [New] The Owned Media Realization: Brands will try harder to reclaim engagement from rented platforms (Meta, Google) by creating repeatable rituals on owned channels. Rajesh Jain
• [New] The year 2026 will bring a transformation of the social media landscape, hitting a tipping point as users struggle with algorithmic burnout. The News International
• [New] In 2026, long-term growth will favor partnerships built on shared accountability, clear communication, and a commitment to getting better over time rather than just getting through the day. North Bay Distribution
• [New] Social media creator revenue will increase 16.2% in 2026 to $20.6 billion. eMarketer
• [New] From unauditable digital spend and the rise of rage bait to YouTube's TV takeover and CTV disruption, senior marketers reveal the overlooked shifts that quietly rewired media last year - and why brands can not afford to ignore them in 2026. The Drum
• [New] Retail media CTV ad spending will grow 45.5% in 2025, with one in five CTV ad dollars projected to go to retail media by 2027. AI Digital
• [New] Critical thinking, digital literacy, creativity, collaboration, communication, and emotional intelligence will be the key future skills. FairGaze skills Pvt Ltd
• [New] Hybrid infrastructure models and mixed media storage architectures will gain ground as organizations confront rising flash prices, mounting AI workloads and the risks of over-centralised cloud computing. IT Brief Australia
• [New] Until now, Western traditional media companies have shied away from AI presenters, partly to allay fears about job cuts, though there has been less reticence in Asia and Africa. Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
• [New] CNN Creators is a new brand that will launch fully in 2026, an attempt to capture the informality and tone that works with younger audiences - on television as well as social media. Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism

Last updated: 22 January 2026