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Digital media dethrones television as India’s M&E king, Ficci M&E report report reveals
MUMBAI: India’s media and entertainment sector has hit a milestone, crossing the Rs 2.5 trillion mark in 2024, but it’s digital media that’s stealing the show, according to the latest FICCI-EY report. The digital realm, growing by a stonking 17 per cent, has officially overtaken television, which has held the crown for two decades. Think of it as a digital coup, a right royal shake-up.
While the overall sector grew by a respectable 3.3 per cent, reaching Rs 2.5 trillion ($29.4 billion), growth has slowed compared to the previous year, thanks to a 2 per cent dip in subscription revenues and a global slump in animation and VFX outsourcing. Still, it’s a hefty contribution to India’s GDP, at a solid 0.73 per cent.
Advertising revenues, however, are booming, surging by 8.1 per cent, driven by digital performance advertising and a surge in premium OOH media. “The digital revolution has not only transformed how content is created and consumed but has also redefined the very essence of the M&E industry,” said Ashish Pherwani, media & entertainment leader and partner at EY India, rather grandly.
Kevin Vaz, chairman of FICCI’s media and entertainment committee, declared the industry is at a “defining moment,” predicting it will surpass Rs 3 trillion by 2027. “The future is brimming with untapped potential,” he said, sounding positively chuffed.
Key takeaways? Digital advertising is booming, live events are back with a bang (up 15 per cent), and OOH media is getting a digital makeover. However, subscriptions are taking a bit of a hammering, and online gaming is struggling under the weight of a 28 per cent GST and illegal offshore competition. “The online gaming segment could struggle unless illegal offshore platforms are not curbed,” the report warns, a rather pointed observation.
Looking ahead, the report predicts a 7.2 per cent growth in 2025, reaching Rs 2.7 trillion, and a 7 per cent CAGR to Rs 3.1 trillion by 2027. AI is tipped to play a major role, bringing efficiencies across content production and distribution. “Artificial intelligence will play a large role in bringing efficiencies,” the report states, sounding rather futuristic.
In short, India’s M&E sector is in a state of flux, with digital leading the charge and traditional models facing a bit of a squeeze. But with a bit of innovation and a dash of good old-fashioned British grit, the industry is poised for further growth. Quite right, too.
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Swiggy sees record orders during India vs New Zealand T20 final
Chicken biryani tops match-day menu as fans order 7,500 times per minute at peak.
MUMBAI: India’s T20 final didn’t just break stumps, it broke Swiggy’s delivery records, proving cricket fans celebrate victories with plates, not just flags. Swiggy, India’s leading on-demand convenience platform, reported a sharp spike in food orders during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand. On 8 March 2026, overall orders rose 23.2 per cent year-on-year compared with the same date in 2025, driven by fans turning living rooms into mini stadiums complete with match-day feasts.
Key highlights from the evening:
- Orders during peak match hours (7–10 pm) were 2.1 times higher than pre-match levels.
- The highest order rate hit 7,500 orders per minute at 19:45.
- Chicken biryani reigned supreme as the most-ordered dish, followed by masala dosa, chicken fried rice, garlic breadsticks and paneer butter masala.
While metros such as Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad led volumes, the cricketing fever spread nationwide. Among emerging cities, Thiruvananthapuram, Surat and Rajkot recorded the strongest order growth. Smaller markets including Shillong, Agartala and Port Blair also showed significant appetite, underlining the expanding footprint of quick-commerce food delivery across India.
The surge reflects a growing trend of pairing major sporting events with doorstep delivery, turning big matches into shared, convenient celebrations. In a night where every boundary mattered, Swiggy proved the real MVP might just be the delivery partner who kept the snacks and the vibes flowing without missing a single wicket.
