Brussels, 4 September 2025

The European Commission’s latest European Media Industry Outlook points to digital innovation and user centric models holding deep potential for Europe’s high quality audiovisual sector.

As the sector continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the Media Industry Outlook offers a number of key insights for the future scaling up, competitiveness, independence and appeal of European media: putting users and consumers at the core of business development strategies to appeal to larger audiences; increasing investment in and take up of EU-based technologies, including artificial intelligence; utilising Europe’s rich intellectual properties to stand out in an increasingly crowded landscape.

The Commission has put forward several initiatives to those ends. Between 2021 and 2027 the EU is investing €1.6 billion in the sector under the Creative Europe MEDIA programme. In the next Multiannual Financial Framework, the Commission is also proposing ‘AgoraEU‘, a new programme worth € 9 billion for culture, media and civil society to, among others, increase the competitiveness of the cultural and creative sectors, in particular the media and audiovisual industries.

Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said:

“The 2025 edition of the European Media Outlook makes it clear: the EU media industry has strong foundations to build on – from quality films and video games to trustworthy news media. This year’s strong presence of European content at La Biennale di Venezia is a testament to its excellence. More investments, the application of leading tech and audience-driven strategies can make the EU’s media sector more competitive and independent. Embracing these growing trends and challenges can consolidate media’s unique role in democracy, cultural diversity and competitiveness.”

Read more information:

• The European Media Industry Outlook 2025 report
• The accompanying consumer survey on media consumption

Related topics

• Media Audiovisual & Media Services Media freedom and pluralism Media Freedom and Pluralism Pilot projects Audiovisual and media content distribution MEDIA programme

Related content

• The 2025 European Media Industry Outlook report
• Consumer survey supporting the 2025 European Media Industry Outlook report
• European Media Industry Outlook shows shifting trends and quality content production