WAVES 2025 Reports: India’s M&E Power Play to be Revealed

By Pickle May 3, 2025

WAVES 2025 reports to reveal India’s M&E dominance, from creator cash to global content clout.

India’s Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry is set to take center stage at WAVES 2025, as four pivotal reports—spanning regulatory frameworks, global content dominance, the creator economy, and statistical insights—are unveiled tomorrow. Together, these reports paint a vibrant picture of India’s transformation into a global M&E powerhouse, driven by innovation, digital growth, and supportive governance.

Navigating the Regulatory Landscape

Kicking off the releases is Legal Currents: A Regulatory Handbook on India’s Media & Entertainment Sector 2025, prepared by Khaitan & Co. This timely guide outlines the regulatory frameworks fueling India’s M&E boom, from streamlined processes for print and broadcasting to incentives for foreign collaboration and co-production.

As India’s digital transformation accelerates—powered by increased internet access and evolving content consumption—the handbook highlights how proactive governance is fostering innovation in advertising, online gaming, and digital media. A vital resource for stakeholders, it cements India’s position as a tech-driven global content hub.

India as the World’s Content Studio

Ernst & Young’s A Studio Called India report underscores India’s rise as a global content leader. With digital media overtaking television to contribute INR 800 billion (US$9.4 billion) in 2024, India produced 200,000 hours of original content, including 1,600 films and 20,000 songs.

The report highlights India’s 40-60% cost advantage in animation and VFX, a 2.8 million-strong direct workforce, and a surge in live events, with 30,000 hosted in 2024 alone. Indian content’s global appeal is evident, with 25% of OTT views coming from international audiences, driven by AI advancements and India’s rich cultural storytelling.

The Creator Economy’s Meteoric Rise

The Boston Consulting Group’s From Content to Commerce: Mapping India’s Creator Economy projects that India’s 2-2.5 million digital creators, influencing $350-400 billion in consumer spending today, will drive over $1 trillion by 2030.

With direct revenues of $20-25 billion expected to hit $100-125 billion, the report notes that only 8-10% of creators currently monetize effectively, signaling vast potential. Short-form video dominates, with comedy, films, and fashion leading, while brands are scaling creator marketing investments by 1.5-3 times, embracing virtual gifting and live commerce as key revenue streams.

Data-Driven Insights for Growth

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Statistical Handbook on Media & Entertainment Sector 2024-25 provides a data-rich foundation for the industry’s growth, projected to reach INR 3,067 billion by 2027 at a 7% CAGR. Key stats include 154,523 registered print publications, 100% DTH coverage, and a rise in Doordarshan Free Dish channels from 33 in 2004 to 381 in 2025.

Private satellite TV channels hit 908, FM stations reached 388, and community radio stations grew to 531. Indian feature films certified soared to 3,455 in 2024-25. The handbook also covers digital media initiatives, film awards, and ease-of-doing-business reforms, making it an indispensable tool for stakeholders.

A Unified Vision for India’s M&E Future

Together, these reports—released at WAVES 2025—highlight India’s multifaceted M&E evolution. From regulatory clarity and statistical insights to global content leadership and a booming creator economy, India is not just keeping pace but setting the global standard.

With a diverse talent pool, cutting-edge technology, and government support, the M&E sector is poised to redefine entertainment and commerce on a global scale, making WAVES 2025 a landmark moment for the industry.