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

• [New] The entertainment and media industries are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.1% from 2024 to 2032 to reach USD 6.1 trillion. ValuStrat
• [New] Video podcasts on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and social media receive higher engagement and offer more opportunities for discovery. Icpcast
• [New] Fastest-growing Service Type: Social media marketing is likely to be the fastest-growing segment through 2033, fueled by the skyrocketing popularity and usage of platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Social media users are predicted to reach 331.09 million, setting a new record in 2028. / USA Straits Research
• [New] Between 2024 and 2028, the overall number of social media users in the U.S. is projected to increase by 22.8 million people, representing a growth rate of 7.4%. Straits Research
• [New] There's no doubt that 2026 will go down as a milestone year for the growth in popularity of vertical media content in the U.S. Variety
• [New] For 2026, vertical media is projected to generate $150 billion in revenue in global markets outside of China, where the microdrama biz is well established. Variety
• [New] Tech giants like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Baidu stand to solidify their dominance, while sectors such as media production and digital education will likely see the fastest ROI. AI For Developing Countries Forum
• In 2026, leading CRM software insurance platforms will use AI to consolidate and analyze data from IoT devices, wearables, social media, etc., to get a detailed view of their customers. NASSCOM | The Official Community of Indian IT Industry
• Lip Cosmetics represent the fastest-growing product segment, projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.8% between 2026 and 2033, supported by strong social media influence, growing demand for glosses and tinted balms, and ongoing product innovation. Persistence Market Research
• The United Kingdom will institute a full social media ban for under-16s in 2027. The National
• A legislation to ban social media for children under 15 would go into effect in 2027. / Canada WIRED Middle East
• In an additive fashion, modern communicative technology (eg, social media) and disinformation campaigns pose serious threats to worldwide biosafety and biosecurity. PubMed Central (PMC)
• Amid a wave of optimistic media coverage, some senior Ukrainians are now warning against complacency. Atlantic Council
• Key questions on the emerging social media bans are still outstanding, including which services will be within scope of the UK's ban and restrictions, how the EU's graduated approach will work in practice and how it will work alongside individual states' own ban plans. Passle
• If a business is not using SEO, GEO, social media, Google Ads and online branding, it will lose customers to competitors. igmGuru
• Dating, gaming, social media, ticketing, finance, and online communities could integrate World ID, making identity demand independent of token speculation. CoinStats
• The National Health Service's digital transformation initiatives create opportunities for gaze-based interfaces that support patients with mobility impairments and communication disorders. / UK Market Data Forecast
• We have not seen much progress in 2026, as communication gaps persist and recent external threats lead nonprofits to pull apart rather than unify as a broader aspirational community. / USA Progressive.org
• Developing markets are expected to lead entertainment and media growth rates, with China growing faster than the US in the outlook period. Carlos J. Ochoa Fernandez
• Intelligent systems are expected to outperform social media in customer communication over the past decade. SpringerLink
• Google Photos remains a robust option with plenty of AI features, though you will be subject to Google's ever-loosening privacy policies and will need to exercise caution in order to avoid having your media ingested for AI training. Engadget

Last updated: 27 August 2026