The screen market of Asia-Pacific $ 175 billion is more difficult
The Asia-Pacific Screen Entertainment Economy comes in a more competitive phase while digital platforms are preparing for an increasing part of what will be a regional income of $ 175 billion by 2030, according to data presented during the opening session of APOS Summit 2025.
With more than 550 industrial representatives on the 16th edition of the Bali-Founded Conference, Media Partners Asia founder Vivek Couto outlined a regional landscape where “the next Golf in Asia is here and it looks very different.”
The data paints a picture of delaying the growth in the entertainment sector of the region. After generating $ 36 billion in new income from 2020-2025 during the pandemic tree, the industry expects only $ 16 billion in incremental growth in the coming five years, largely as a result of Legacy TV erosion.
“The bar is higher. Every dollar will be more difficult to win,” Couto told those present. “We are going into a more difficult, more competitive phase of generating income where growth should be earned.”
Despite income headwind, the screen proliferation continues in the region. Asia-Pacific will grow today from 4.5 billion screens to 5.5 billion in 2030, with connected TV rise as the fastest growing segment with 13% compiled annual growth rate. The installed CTV basis will hit 360 million houses by 2030, with 40% of all TVs connected on that date.
“Smartphones remain the largest basis, increasing from 3.6 billion to 4.4 billion, which makes consumption anchored over any size,” Couto noted.
Indonesia leads the screen growing momentum, followed by the Philippines and Thailand, although China and India dominate the scale with 72% of the total screens by 2030.
The traditional share of the regional income of the TV will fall from 49% today to 41% in 2030, while premium video-on-demand grows to 29% and users generated/social video generated up to 24%. The theatrical income remains flat.
“Generating income is therefore decisive and inexorably shifting to digital,” said Couto.
Three markets China, Japan and India are good for almost three-quarters of the total regional income, but their monetization models differ dramatically. China focuses on short videos, micro dramas and adult premium rag supported by transactions and advertisements. Japan emphasizes Premium, TV-centric content with high Arpu SVOD and fast-growing Premium Avod. India has a double engine of advertisements and value -conscious subscriptions about streaming and TV.
The maker -economy of the region explodes, with more than 100 million makers who are nowadays expected to grow to 165 million in 2030. “Makers now dominate time, cultural impact and trade activation,” Couto noted.
In China, platforms such as Douyin and Bilibili Maker make income possible on short video, e-commerce and live streaming. The Indian maker -economy multiplies in several languages, while Southeast -Asian makers are culturally embedded in brand content and selling live.
The Micro-Drama category of China became a $ 7 billion market in 2024, with ultra-short-serialized content designed for scrolling and shopping. The format globalized, with $ 1.2 billion worldwide projected in 2025 outside of China.
“It is content that is partly entertainment, partly funnel,” Couto said. “The micro-drama model of China is now a content-industrial complex.”
YouTube dominates “the new TV” with advertisements, subscriptions and CTV that will grow regionally $ 18-19 billion in 2030. Bytedance’s Douyin and Tiktok reach almost $ 10 billion through short video and social trade, while Netflix Premium VOD leads outside of China.
Local champions including Foxtel, Tving, Vidio and Train prove that “scale can be built and defended outside the global giants,” says Couto.
The investment in premium content is more focused and grows from $ 17 billion to $ 21 billion by 2030 in only streaming expenditure. “The era of excessive expenses is over,” said Couto. “Platforms now ask: what stimulates the preservation? What does money in money apply? What helps to build a marketplace?”
Streaming platforms are actively increasing the prices in layers worldwide and locally, with increases that are seen for Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video and local players. “Arpu extension is an important lever as platform cost structures and bundles intensify,” noted the presentation.
Premium AVOD is growing steadily, especially in India, where the linear TV output compensates. However, Retailmedia appear as the best digital advertising growth motor, led by China ($ 26 billion), India ($ 10 billion) and Japan ($ 9 billion) of 2025-2030.
The top continues all week with sessions about streaming strategies, content creation and regional market dynamics. As Couto concluded: “We are in a market that is dynamic and full of opportunities for those who are courageous enough to reformulate, invest and reform.”
