Global revenues from digital media will exceed revenue generated by filmed entertainment for the first time in 2008, according to research from Strategy Analytics.

The report, Global Media & Entertainment Market Forecast, 2004 – 2012, predicts that total worldwide revenues from media and entertainment – including television & filmed entertainment, recorded music, games software and advertising – will exceed $845 billion this year, with more than 10 per cent, or $90 billion, coming from online and mobile channels.

In comparison, the global filmed entertainment market will generate $83.1 billion in revenues this year.

The research concludes that total revenues from all online channels will grow on average at 18% annually until 2012, while revenues from traditional media channels will grow at only 3% a year over the same time period. The industry as a whole will experience growth of 5.8% in 2008, but this will decline to 4.5% in 2009 as a result of global economic conditions.

Martin Olausson, Director of Digital Media Research at Strategy Analytics, said, "The fact that digital media revenues now exceed those from movie theaters and home video supports the large online investments made by most major media companies."

Story filed 21.12.08