During this holiday season, media executives are sharing their predictions for the entertainment industry in 2025. These insights provide a glimpse into anticipated trends and strategic moves within major companies. The anonymous executives reflect on the past year, noting that while some predictions for 2024 were partially accurate, many fell short.
In the previous year’s forecasts, collaborations among streaming platforms did not materialize as expected. For instance, executives anticipated that key players like Max and Disney would unite for a significant streaming bundle, but this did not happen. Additionally, the landscape of regional sports broadcasting underwent further consolidation, and RedBird Capital’s plans to acquire Paramount Global did not proceed as intended, although they are now part of a consortium that has merged with the company.
Looking ahead to 2025, several predictions have emerged. One notable forecast suggests Comcast may acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s assets and merge them with NBCUniversal, taking another shot at consolidating its efforts in the industry. Another prediction indicates Comcast may try to merge with Charter, the largest cable provider, despite earlier attempts to acquire Time Warner Cable failing due to regulatory concerns.
Additional predictions include Fox potentially buying a significant portion of Warner Bros. Discovery’s assets, which could reshape the media landscape further. Other executives speculate about leadership changes at Disney, suggesting Dana Walden may leave the company as the board evaluates internal candidates for the CEO position.
Concerns were also raised about Jeff Bezos and his ownership of the Washington Post, with some anticipating he may be pressured to sell due to ongoing challenges stemming from its reporting. Lastly, expectations exist that several television station groups may sell due to financial pressures, reflecting the ongoing transformation in the industry.
These insights from the media executives highlight the evolving landscape of the entertainment sector and set the stage for significant developments in the coming year.E.W. Scripps, Tegna, and Sinclair Broadcast are facing challenges as their stock prices decline due to the impact of cord-cutting on traditional pay-TV valuations. Executives from these companies hope that the new administration under Donald Trump will facilitate further industry consolidation. Speculations suggest that some companies may seek to sell themselves in order to avoid bankruptcy or achieve greater scale.
Changes in TV station ownership rules under the Trump administration allowed major networks such as CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox to acquire their own affiliates, leading to more direct control over broadcasting. Additionally, Paramount Global is planning to acquire Lionsgate after spinning off from Starz, aiming to enhance their business focus and pursue more acquisitions.
In the gaming sector, Electronic Arts is expected to be sold to a major tech company in 2025, with Netflix, Apple, or Amazon being potential buyers. This move follows the precedent set by Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision in 2023.
Despite the buzz surrounding mergers and acquisitions, one executive warned that the industry-wide hype may be exaggerated, suggesting that actual deal activity will be much lower than anticipated. Furthermore, there are discussions among executives at Paramount Global, NBCUniversal, and Warner Bros. Discovery about potentially bundling their streaming services, which could offer consumers a more integrated experience.
On the sports streaming front, the anticipated launch of the joint venture Venu, which involves Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery, is facing delays due to legal challenges. It is predicted that Fox might instead license its sports content to ESPN’s upcoming streaming service, scheduled to launch in 2025.
In corporate leadership changes, Kathy Kennedy, who has led Lucasfilm since 2012, may step down as the franchise evolves under new direction. As 2025 approaches, significant shifts in the media landscape are expected.