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In this article, we explore the six fastest growing online entertainment industries in 2026.
As of the start of 2026, there were over six billion internet users globally, and sources suggest that 92% access some form of online entertainment. According to IMARC Group, the global online entertainment industry market is worth over $612 billion with a 16.38% CAGR, while a more conservative estimate places the value at $507 billion. Sources agree on double-figure year-on-year growth across the industry as a whole.
This growth is fueled by ever increasing internet adoption, as well as the continued evolution of the industry alongside technology, which constantly reshapes how audiences engage with digital content.
As seen in Reuters, global entertainment and media leader Bart Spiegel of PWC USA says, “companies will need to remain nimbler and proactive to embrace the future and satisfy consumers in an ecosystem that rewards creativity and tailored content.”
Methodology
To create our list of the fastest growing online entertainment industries, we used a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) as the ranking system, focusing on expected growth over current market size. All numbers have been taken from market research reports and usually represent the forecast period 2025-2030.
For some industries, exact data and standalone revenue reports were not available. For example, in the case of social media broadcasting, revenue is often tied to advertising and not directly to the online entertainment industry, making it difficult to discern realistic figures. For accuracy, we have not included these industries, which also includes podcasting, VR, and digital publishing.
Fastest Growing Online Entertainment Industries
6. Online Gaming – 10.5% CAGR
Make no mistake about it, the online gaming industry is huge. If we were ranking based on market size, this form of online entertainment would be high up on the list. The online gaming market was valued at approximately $127 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $237 billion by 2030, a 10.5% CAGR. Other estimates place the market size even higher because they take a broader definition of online gaming.
Although this is not the fastest growing industry in terms of CAGR, the sheer market size combined with a double-figure growth rate makes this a promising and stable sector.
5. Online Gambling and iGaming – 11.9% CAGR
The online gambling market includes online casinos, card rooms, bingo, instant win games, and sports betting was estimated to be worth $78.6 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow to $153.5 billion by 2030, for an 11.9% CAGR. Sports betting accounts for around half of the sector’s revenue.
The growth of online gambling is fueled by internet penetration and smartphone adoption, while online casinos like Slots LV provide crypto payment options, marching to the tune of tech trends and opening doors for easy cross-border transactions.
4. Music Streaming – 14.9% CAGR
Music streaming has a market size of around $46.6 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow to nearly $108.4 billion by 2030, for a 14.9% CAGR, with the US market representing the strongest country in terms of both current revenue and expected growth.
The growth of online music streaming depends on increasing consumption of audio media around the world and particularly on the success of subscription models, which are a big driver in revenue.
3. Video Streaming – 21.5% CAGR
Video streaming is a huge industry that was already worth $129.2 billion by 2024, a touch more than online gaming. The industry is forecast to hit $416.8 billion by 2030, for a huge 21.5% CAGR.
The video streaming industry is largely driven by on-demand subscription models, with adoption still rising around the world and audiences preferring to use smartphones or tablets to access content.
2. Live Streaming – 23% CAGR
The live streaming sector was worth $87.5 billion back in 2023 and is forecast to grow to $345 billion by 2030, for an impressive 23% CAGR.
Live streaming connects the audience with influencers and personalities that they love for a more interactive experience, something a younger audience in particular craves. This medium is still growing at a rapid rate and sits in second place in the rankings of fastest growing online entertainment industries.
1. Esports – 23.1% CAGR
The fastest growing online entertainment industry is Esports. It had a market size of $2.13 billion in 2024, making it by far the youngest and least developed sector on this list. The industry is forecast to grow to $7.46 billion by 2030 for a 23.1% CAGR.
The growth is expected to come from increasing viewership, league infrastructure, and sponsorships, with Asia Pacific becoming a key demographic and overtaking the North American market.
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