US Media Landscape Market Report 2023

This report offers a complete analysis of the US media industry. Our expert dives deep into the past, present, and future of the media, with a focus on the consumer perspective today.

Find the scope of the report and key topics covered below, with free insights from the report itself as well.

Report Scope

For the purposes of this Report, media includes video (eg TV/streaming video), audio (eg podcasts, radio), written (eg newspapers, magazines, digital media (streaming/ downloadable content), and social media.

Key Topics Covered

• • Media market key players, landscape, and media segment performance.
  • Market factors impacting the media industry and consumers.
  • Physical media purchases, paid subscriptions, paid downloads, and use of free content services.
  • Attitudes toward news and media.
  • News media channel preferences.
  • Perceptions of news media channels.

US Media Industry: Overview

Media consolidation over the past four decades has led to 10 companies controlling the majority of US media. This has had several negative consequences, including bias toward the owners’ interests, the morphing of news and entertainment, and a lack of diversity that perpetuates a dominant viewpoint. Consumers are increasingly distrustful of news sources, leading to a decrease in credibility for media organizations. Media stakeholders will want to focus on providing authentic messaging and tightening their targeting to their known consumer base.

US Media Industry: Future Outlook

• • 2023: The WGA (Writers Guild of America) writer’s strike means that new scripted material is sparse. So, brands continue to acquire existing content and optimize the user experience across touchpoints like apps and search functions.
  • 2024-2025: Unless addressed, distrust in news will continue alongside polarizing elections and increasing use of AI in newsrooms. Social media and other outlets will continue to draw attention away from traditional outlets.
  • 2026-2028: More content hubs will mean more options for consumers as Congress takes an interest in legislating media to tackle synthetic media and other issues.

While the outlook may seem bleak, this report offers opportunities to respond to consumers’ views of media as it is today. See the Table of Contents (Market Opportunities) below for an idea. Alternatively, you may be interested in our Social Media: Spotlight on Content Creators Market Report, to provide a better view of how to adapt to the changing media landscape with social media’s surge.

Additional Features Included in Your Report

Different Digital Formats: PDF for conveniently sharing with your team, PowerPoint for quickly including in your presentation, as well as an Infographic and an Excel Databook.

Mintel’s Clients Portal: Our portal offers instant access to actionable analysis and trends pieces relevant to your industry that are published almost daily. You can also browse for more market research reports.

Expert Analysis from a Media Specialist

This report, by leading media analyst Jenni Nelson, delivers an in-depth analysis of the US media industry. Read their commentary below.

Consumers have more media options than ever before – both in terms of channels as well as the content available; and consumption is keeping apace. Getting – and keeping – consumers’ attention is increasingly challenging. News consumption is especially tenuous, as decades of ownership consolidation has left many distrustful of news outlets and less engaged with the news overall.

Jenni Nelson
Technology, Media and Entertainment Analyst