The future of the Media industry: transformation is on air
March 10, 2025

In this article NTT DATA examines how new consumer behaviours, digital platforms, and technologies transform the Broadcasting industry, offering guidance on navigating change through authentic partnerships and innovation.
An industry in deep transformation
The transformation in the media industry is no longer on the horizon – it is here, and it is disrupting the industry. The only path to sustainability is through adaptation; it has transitioned from optional to essential. The mass audience is now a thing of the past, replaced by a mosaic of highly fragmented audiences: Digital natives seeking niche and personalised content, traditional viewers loyal to conventional broadcast offerings, multicultural groups searching for localised or international content, and sports enthusiasts desiring interactive and gamified experiences. The rise of connected TV (CTV) and digital platforms, combined with advances in AI and universal broadband access, is challenging traditional models, forcing companies to rethink their strategies at the core.
Generation Z as a key driver for change
At the heart of this transformation is a continuous generational evolution. Generation Z marked a significant breakpoint as the first to grow up entirely online, touching screens rather than turning pages. This generation is reshaping not only how content is consumed but also how it is created, marketed, and delivered. They demand seamless, on-demand experiences across all devices, from smartphones to CTV. Their cultural and financial influence is radically redesigning the media landscape.
The rise of Digital Giants: CTVs have taken over the remote control!
The CTVs’ revolution is redefining the viewing experience, shifting from a “one-to-many” broadcast model to a fully personalised ‘one-to-one’ experience. In 2023, CTV penetration in the US reached 88 per cent, signalling a shift from passive consumption to an interactive and tailored experience. YouTube, once known for short videos, now leads as the living room’s preferred screen. 2025 is expected to be the year of shopping on TV, with giants like Amazon and Walmart heavily investing in shoppable TV experiences. Digital video ads have already surpassed traditional TV, with over 66 per cent of global investment flowing to Google, Meta, and Amazon. This also marks a fundamental shift: from traditional production hubs like Hollywood to the Creator-sphere. The result is a seamless flow of entertainment, ads, and shopping opportunities, putting the viewer at the centre.
To successfully navigate this transformation, and to meet the needs of new audiences and their way of experiencing content, organisations should consider the following recommendations:
Modernise and simplify content workflows using Data and AI
Data is the foundation for all future technologies. It has become the lifeblood of any data-driven company, making it an invaluable asset for innovation and growth. Successful organisations are learning to listen to what their data tells them about their audience’s needs and preferences, transforming these insights into better experiences while building lasting customer relationships. The real challenge? Making sense of the overwhelming amount of information to find the meaningful patterns that matter.
AI is helping media companies work better, to give audiences what they want faster – from analysing videos to creating summaries and personalising content. AI helps find the right viewers for ads and recommends the shows people will enjoy. Some AI tools are already being utilised in media, while others are still in early stages of development – like live content creation and operations, conversational search, and large-scale content indexing. As AI gets cheaper, companies will find even more ways to use it. Successful AI integration in media requires a balance between innovation and ethical considerations, along with regulatory compliance.
Lastly, efficient content supply chains, powered by cloud-based platforms and automated workflows, streamline operations, enabling faster and more cost-effective content distribution. As cloud technology matures, decisions between cloud and on-premises solutions are increasingly driven by operational and cost factors, with the cloud’s opex model aligning costs with revenue, making it an attractive choice in today’s fragmented distribution landscape.
Capitalise on social and digital platforms to drive continuous viewer engagement – Be where your audience is! The transformation driven by data and AI opens new opportunities for strategic collaboration with digital platforms that leverage these technologies to maximise audience engagement. Collaborating with platforms like YouTube provides solid reach and new monetisation opportunities.
Take Channel 4’s 2024 social video strategy: it led to a 169 per cent increase in premium TV series viewership on YouTube and a 75 per cent jump in YouTube revenues, resulting in over 2.3 billion total views across social platforms.
Encourage and drive greater collaboration with the vendor community
At the DPP Leaders’ Briefing, executives expressed concern about vendors failing to deliver on promised solutions as traditional media companies accelerate digital evolution.
“No organisation can succeed alone in the current high-change environment,” said DPP CEO, Rowan de Pomerai. “We believe that media companies can accelerate their success by sharing experiences and ideas with their peers and partners, and by collaborating closely with their technology and service providers.”
To address this growing disconnect, long-term success depends on building trust through strong partnerships with technology visionaries, particularly as technological complexity increases. Media companies need strategic collaborators, who have deep industry understanding, showcase proven expertise, and deliver tailored solutions. No single company can master all emerging technologies alone. Collaborative innovation becomes essential to stay ahead of the curve.
Above all, these partnerships should be built on transparency and a shared commitment, especially in the fast-evolving fields of AI and Gen AI.
Embrace Innovation to lead the transformation
At NTT DATA, we recognise that innovation drives transformative change. As a global partner for the media industry, we empower our clients to drive growth by leveraging emerging technologies like AI and Gen AI. Our mission is to connect people with technology, delivering long-term value not only through business outcomes buDt also by promoting environmental sustainability, social impact and business resilience.
By combining advanced technology with deep industry insights, we turn ideas into tangible results, fostering innovation that creates real impact and a sustainable future. Now is the time to act, turning today’s challenges into tomorrow’s successes.
For more insights on media industry transformation or to explore how NTT DATA can support your organisation’s digital journey, contact us.
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