# Thailand’s Entertainment and Media Sector Poised for THB550 Billion in 2026

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/entertainment/321400-thailands-entertainment-and-media-sector-poised-for-thb550-billion-in-2026
- Published: 2026-07-26T09:27:59+07:00
- Author: J. Allan

* Thailand’s entertainment and media industry is projected to reach approximately
   THB550 billion in 2026, reflecting 1.8% growth despite weak consumer spending,
   according to PwC. Digital advertising, streaming video, and gaming and esports
   are the primary growth drivers, with internet advertising forecast to grow 41.5%
   by 2030.
 * PwC projects the sector will reach THB616.1 billion by 2030, at a compound annual
   growth rate of 3.1%. The firm cautions that sustained success will depend not
   on AI adoption alone, but on combining technology, data, and creativity to build
   consumer trust and long-term loyalty.

Digital advertising, gaming, and AI-driven transformation set to power modest but
steady growth amid economic headwinds.

## Key takeaways

 * Thailand’s entertainment and media industry is projected to reach ~THB550 billion
   in 2026, up 1.8% from 2025, despite weak consumer spending.
 * Digital advertising, streaming video, and gaming/esports are the fastest-growing
   segments, with internet advertising alone set to grow 41.5% by 2030.
 * PwC says long-term success will depend on combining AI with creativity to build
   meaningful, trust-based consumer experiences, not on technology alone.

Thailand’s entertainment and media industry is on track to generate roughly THB550
billion in revenue this year, marking 1.8% growth compared with 2025, according 
to new projections from [PwC](https://www.pwc.com/th/en/press-room/press-release/2026/press-release-20-07-26-en.html).
The forecast comes even as the country grapples with soft consumer spending and 
broader economic uncertainty, underscoring the sector’s relative resilience.

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The growth, PwC says, will largely be fueled by an ongoing shift of advertising 
budgets toward digital platforms, alongside continued expansion in online video,
gaming and esports.

## Steady Climb Through the Decade

Drawing on its Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2026 to 2030, PwC projects Thailand’s
E&M industry will rise from THB535.8 billion in 2025 to THB545.6 billion this year,
before climbing to THB616.1 billion by 2030, a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%
over the five years.

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Digital segments, including internet advertising, gaming and esports, and streaming
video services, are expected to lead that expansion, while traditional media formats
continue to lose ground amid shifting consumer habits and advertisers’ migration
online.

Tithinun Vankeo, Assurance Partner at PwC Thailand, said that despite the strain
on household spending, the industry’s digital shift is giving it a measure of durability.
According to Vankeo, businesses are turning to digital channels because they offer
sharper audience targeting and better use of AI-driven data insights than conventional
media.

## Advertising and Gaming Lead the Charge

Among the standout performers for 2026, internet advertising revenue is projected
to climb 13% year on year to THB66.8 billion, streaming video services to grow 11%
to THB22.9 billion, and gaming and esports to expand 12% to THB52.3 billion.

Looking further ahead, PwC expects the internet advertising market to grow 41.5%
between 2026 and 2030, reaching THB94.6 billion, while gaming and esports revenue
could rise 41% over the same stretch to THB71 billion, driven by widespread smartphone
use, popular mass market titles and expanding digital distribution.

## AI as Enabler, Not Endpoint

While artificial intelligence is reshaping how content is produced, distributed,
and monetized, PwC’s report suggests the human appetite for connection and meaningful
experience remains the industry’s core driver. Live and interactive formats, including
concerts, sporting events, and other experiential content, continue to hold consumer
appeal and generate durable value for media companies.

Vankeo argued that the industry’s next test isn’t simply deploying AI for efficiency
gains, but using technology and data to craft experiences that feel genuinely relevant
to audiences. Companies that pair AI capabilities with strong creative content and
deeper engagement, she said, will be best placed to differentiate themselves over
time.

She added that as competition intensifies, lasting advantage will come not from 
having the most advanced technology alone, but from blending AI, data, and creativity
to build trust and long-term consumer loyalty.