Romania's media and entertainment industry on track to hit a staggering €4.9 billion by 2029, with the digital segments dominating the growth trajectory, as per PwC's prediction.
Romania's Media and Entertainment Sector Poised for Steady Growth
The media and entertainment industry in Romania is expected to grow at an average annual rate of around 2% between 2025 and 2029, reaching a total value of approximately EUR 4.91 billion by 2029 [1][3][4]. This growth is primarily driven by a robust digital transformation, with online advertising, streaming services, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence playing significant roles [1][3].
Advertising remains the primary source of revenue in the industry. Online video advertising is the fastest-growing category within the internet advertising segment, with revenues expected to grow from EUR 297 million in 2025 to EUR 387 million in 2029, reflecting an average annual growth of 7.5% [1].
The film industry is also expected to see steady growth, with a 5% annual revenue increase forecasted, growing from EUR 68 million in 2025 to EUR 79 million in 2029 [3][5]. Video games are noted as one of the rapidly expanding sectors within Romania's media landscape [3].
Other contributing segments include the music, radio, and podcast sector, which is projected to grow steadily by around 5% per year, with revenues rising from EUR 43 million in 2025 to EUR 52 million in 2029 [1][3]. The media business-to-business (B2B) segment is expected to see moderate growth, with revenues reaching EUR 216 million by 2029 [1].
The growth prospects are tempered by economic challenges, inflation, and changing consumer behavior, which put pressure on consumer spending and highlight the need for relevant and affordable content [1][3]. However, the increasing penetration of 5G services is anticipated to provide a significant boost to the industry [1].
In the video games and esports sector, most of the revenue comes from social and casual games, as well as in-app advertising [1]. Advertising-supported video-on-demand services will maintain a smaller market presence compared to subscription-based platforms [1].
The mobile and fixed telephony segment is expected to reach EUR 2.46 billion in 2029, up from EUR 2.41 billion in 2025 [1]. Traditional television revenues are expected to remain almost flat at around EUR 920 million between 2025 and 2026 [1].
Major technology companies like Google and Meta dominate the media and entertainment market but face stricter regulation due to new EU legislation such as the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act [1]. Streaming services are expected to expand by about 7% per year [1].
The total number of films released in Romania increased from 214 in 2023 to 228 in 2024 [1]. Outdoor advertising is forecast to grow from EUR 49 million in 2025 to EUR 58 million in 2029, with digital out-of-home (DOOH) formats gaining a larger share of the market [1].
In summary, Romania's media and entertainment sector is set for steady but moderate growth over 2025-2029, largely driven by a robust digital transformation focused on online advertising, streaming, and emerging technologies like AI [1][3]. The industry's growth is expected to be fueled by digital areas, especially online advertising and streaming services.
The digital transformation in Romania's media and entertainment sector includes the adoption of streaming services and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, demonstrating a shift towards a technology-driven lifestyle. Advertising, particularly online video advertising, is a rapidly growing category within the industry, reflecting the integration of technology into advertising strategies.
