The DPP has published its annual predictions report, now in its ninth year. The report contains eight business focused predictions and explores themes that will dominate the media and broadcast agenda in the year ahead.
Enabled by DPP member Zixi, the DPP 2025 Predictions were developed and voted on by over 20 industry practitioners — people who shape and run all kinds of media businesses.
Download the DPP 2025 Predictions
The experts, representing major professionals from both the supplier and end user communities, agreed that the media, broadcasting and entertainment industry is facing multiple challenges as the sector grapples with technological, financial and societal shifts.
"In 2024 the DPP Predictions reflected a media industry trying to achieve the business flexibility and agility required to respond to a constantly shifting industry", says DPP Editorial Director Edward Qualtrough. "But in the DPP 2025 Predictions there is a much more acute focus on specific industry threats: Capex constraints which are stifling innovation, the power shift to the creator economy, cyber security risks and the erosion of trust, and a relative disillusionment with AI."
Key predictions from the report include:
Security concerns will go beyond human scale: Evolving cyber threats will require advanced technological solutions and comprehensive staff training to safeguard media operations.
Power will shift towards the creator economy: Individual content creators will gain influence, challenging established media brands.
We're running out of romance with AI: The initial excitement around AI will give way to a focus on practical applications and tangible returns on investment.
Capex models will constrain innovation: Tight budgets and risk aversion will limit investment in new technologies and innovative projects.
There will be transparency fatigue and 'trust washing': Oversaturation of transparency initiatives and performative efforts to appear trustworthy will erode audience confidence.
"In 2024 the DPP Predictions reflected a media industry trying to achieve the business flexibility and agility required to respond to a constantly shifting industry. But in the DPP 2025 Predictions there is a much more acute focus on specific industry threats: Capex constraints which are stifling innovation, the power shift to the creator economy, cyber security risks and the erosion of trust, and a relative disillusionment with AI."
Edward Qualtrough, DPP Editorial Director
"As audience expectations evolve, the industry faces a dual challenge: deliver more content with greater scalability while ensuring cost-efficiency, flexibility and superior quality," says Zixi VP of Strategic Business Development Alan Young. "Media companies are seeking solutions that are not only financially sustainable but also technologically cutting edge. This transformation necessitates moving away from legacy, hardware-based environments, and eliminating the constraints imposed by outdated infrastructure.
"In this fast-paced landscape, the agility offered by software-defined solutions and internet-based delivery models has become indispensable to allow for rapid iteration and continuous improvement without sacrificing quality. Innovation is not optional – it is essential."
"Media companies are seeking solutions that are not only financially sustainable but also technologically cutting edge. This transformation necessitates moving away from legacy, hardware-based environments, and eliminating the constraints imposed by outdated infrastructure."
Alan Young, Zixi VP of Strategic Business Development
The DPP 2025 Predictions report is free and open for everyone to download here.
The next DPP report to be published in March 2025 is an in-depth exploration of established best practices video distribution, monetisation and user experience titled 'Cloud Native Distribution'.
