• by Joe Mandese  @mp_joemandese, May 8, 2025

Following peak pandemic year growth, consumer spending on media decelerated for the third consecutive year, rising just 4.4% to $2.371 trillion worldwide last year, according to PQ Media's latest forecast, released this morning.

The report cites fewer theatrical and streaming service films with even blockbuster hits underperforming expectations, news that comes amid Hollywood and international filmmaker angst over President Trump's proposed tariffs for overseas films marketed in the United States.

On a bright note, PQ said several media categories outpaced expectations, including consumer book sales, though consumer spending on media-related technology rose only 1.4% to $1.296 trillion worldwide.

The deceleration in consumer spending also comes amid media industry fears about the potential for a general economic recession following the Trump Administration's recent trade war policies.

"Consumer confidence has fallen in most markets to the lowest level since the pandemic, which will result in consumers trimming discretionary spending in 2025, and possibly beyond dependent upon unforeseen Trump policies in the remaining years of his term. While consumer spending on media will accelerate in even years, the growth rates will be significantly lower than previous years that international sporting events were held,” PQ Media CEO Patrick Quinn notes, adding, "The tariffs are impacting both developed and emerging markets, particularly relating to electronically delivered content and the devices that are used to upload the content."