The main trends in entertainment and communication industries we wait for in 2025.
We studied many reports on 2024 and predictions about the following year made by the most influencing research companies, media, and technological giants, and grabbed the most interesting trends, the significant quotations, and the bravest predictions for the future of communication and entertainment — just for you and for us to build the most exciting, ambitious, and actual roadmap.
We studied numerous reports in 2024 and examined predictions for the following year from the most influential research companies, media outlets, and technological giants. From these analyses, we selected the most intriguing trends, significant quotes, and boldest forecasts for the future of communication and entertainment. We’ve gathered insights to craft the most exciting, ambitious, and relevant roadmap for both you and us.
Mainstream Adoption of Live Streaming
Trend: Live streaming continues to dominate, with users focusing on interactive, real-time experiences.
We wrote it not once: live-streaming has been one of the most notable vague in the entertainment industry for the last few years. Users get used to streaming, watching other users’ streaming; everything can be streamed, and everything can be sold during the stream. Twitch and YouTube created this trend, but it doesn’t mean that other services can use it for their own interaction with the audience.
“Live-streaming viewership is up 12% from Q3 2023 to 8.5B hours watched, indicating renewed interest in the industry following the post-pandemic dip. Kick solidified its position in the live-streaming space, now holding the #3 spot with 534M hours watched after growing it (together with Twitch and YouTube; the fourth place goes to Facebook Video). This resurgence has been fueled by a wider variety of platforms, like Kick which has doubled in viewership compared to Q3 last year.” Stream Hatchet; Q3 2024 Report
“As live-streaming commerce grows, it’s clear that e-commerce will need to evolve or risk being overshadowed by this inherently dynamic approach. Through advanced personalization, moderation and real-time analytics, content will be tailored to real-time preferences based on input and reactions.” Lux Narayan for Forbes, October 2024
“We now expect to see a new era of streaming, one that prioritizes user experience and innovation. The future of AI-powered streaming lies in platforms that can anticipate individual preferences, deliver tailored content, and blur the lines between traditional viewing and interactive experiences.” Kevin Westcott, Deloitte Global Telecommunications, November 2024
“60% of those respondents who budget for influencer marketing intend to increase their influencer marketing budget over next year.” Influencer Marketing Hub
Consolidation of Embedded AI
Trend: AI integration becomes a demanded part of functionality for enhancing UX through personalization, chat assistance, and predictive analytics.
The growth of embedded AI happened fast and users adopted it really fast as well. Now, companies and services should not fall behind and give users what they expect to see: convenient tools for interacting with AI or services improved with AI for better personalisation.
“…companies hope to create an all-in-one app, where users can act on what they have learned and never have to leave. 73% of consumers believe customer service quality will improve with the use of AI and expect more interactions with it in their everyday lives.” CX Trend 2024; Dmitry Shevelenko, Perplexity
“If you think about the world’s data, the majority of it is sitting in cold tiers and archives. Enterprises are now using that data to feed AI models and realize the full value of the data.” Arthur Lewis, Dell Technologies’ infrastructure solutions group; Barron’s, November 2024
“In 2025, this democratization of AI usage is accelerating, promising to reshape industries and revolutionize decision-making processes across every sector of the economy.” Forbes, November, 2024
Surge in Gamification
Trend: Gamification elements, like achievements, leaderboards, and streaks, are key to driving engagement
Gamification is not a new trend; it has been evolving over the last decade or so. As more users develop habits of playing games and video games, they increasingly tend to respond to achievements and expect to receive them for their behaviour. If platforms want to retain users and build loyalty, achievements are becoming a necessary element of this.
“Gamification is about motivating people through data-driven experiences that tap into the core of what makes us human — our need to learn, grow, and be rewarded.” Gabe Zichermann, Onward, October 2024
“The gamification market size has grown exponentially , and it is expected to grow with GAGR in 24.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed at increased use of gamification in gaming industry and rise of mobile games.” Global Gamification Market Growth Drivers 2024/ Report
Hyper-Localization
Trend: Platforms are demanding tailored experiences to specific geographies, languages, and cultural contexts.
Personalization is no longer a luxury; it’s an expectation. Players want experiences that resonate with their individual preferences.” Yogonet iGaming news, October 2024
This trend is closely tied to the development of embedded AI and the full adoption of big data, and interestingly, it intersects with both globalization and anti-globalization movements. Some platforms aim to protect their content, while others focus on offering users the freedom to move seamlessly across borders without losing their connection to the platform.
Users demand a close, personalised connection with their favourite services, whether they are at home or abroad. Personalisation is a king, detailed localisation is a necessity.
“The drivers for local differentiation include: Businesses in highly regulated industries must adhere to national or regional regulations and ensure that regulators’ systems can connect with their own. Data privacy and security laws, such as the European Union’s GDPR and China’s Data Security Law, apply to all industries and may include requirements affecting local infrastructure, such as cloud providers, and mechanisms to control data flows, such as isolated access controls. The user experience may need to be tailored to reflect local communication preferences.”McKinsey and Company
Blockchain and Tokenized Incentives and Crypto Growth
Trend: Blockchain and tokenized economics are gaining traction for easiness and transparency processing and unique rewards
If your platform operates globally and involves financial transactions — whether users trade stocks, buy or sell goods, pay for services, or place bets — they need a secure and seamless way to manage their money. To avoid complications with various currencies, some platforms have adopted crypto operations. While this trend may not exhibit the fastest growth, it remains strong and steadily gaining confidence.
“Tech-savvy players who value anonymity and fast transactions are particularly drawn to crypto-friendly platforms. Additionally, the rise of PayPal casinos is also notable, as many players prefer the security and ease of transactions that the platform offers. As global regulations around cryptocurrency and digital payment methods continue to evolve, their roles in the gambling industry will only grow stronger.” Yogonet Gaming news, October 2024
“Tokenized financial assets are moving from pilot to at-scale deployment. Adoption is not yet widespread, but financial institutions with blockchain capabilities in place will have a strategic advantage. For instance, we believe tokenization feasibility is highest for asset classes with lower technical complexities and regulatory considerations.” McKinsey & Company, 2024
Community-building
Trend: The social part of user experience now is a necessity.
If two years ago, developing social tools was really important for entertainment businesses: users got used to social media, and social networks stole retention and attention from platforms, channels, and services. It was essential, but now it is required. All users of all platforms need to share their opinions: your users can watch movies or sports, study analytical reports, share their ideas about the best cookie recipes, bet on hockey or buy tickets to the theatre: all of them need to receive advice or give them.
All of them were really into these activities, and they had to create WhatsApp or Facebook groups for such discussions, but now platforms see these needs and add this functionality on the platforms. Interesting that it doesn’t matter if the platform is big or small; community chat, comment section, and in-app live-video streaming can be added on any platform where there is a topic to discuss and users who are actually interested in such discussions.
“Engaging with your audience shows you value their input and are willing to evolve based on their needs.” Forbes, October 2024
If you want to integrate community-building tools for real-time communication or use in-app live-streaming, getting first-party data from any users, connect with us. We will help you to find the most suitable solution.
