The FICCI-PricewaterhouseCoopers 2008 report on the Indian Entertainment and Media Industry is being released on March 25 in Mumbai during FICCI-Frames, but some highlights of the report makes interesting reading in so far as showing the fast growth � in monetary terms � of the industry.

It says that the Indian entertainment & media sector has now become a Rs 51,300 crore industry, and is projected to achieve a massive size of Rs 1,15,700 crore by 2012. But the interesting fact � though not unknown to industry people – is that bulk of this growth has come not from the film sector.

The growth in 2007 over 2006 itself was a respectable 16 per cent, and in absolute terms, it was up by Rs 7,500 crore over the 2006 figure of Rs 43,800 crore. The growth was driven to a great extent by the foreign investments in the sector, which in 2007 reached a record high of $ 211 million, or approximately Rs 850 crore, which is seen as result of the �extremely high� number of investment deals announced in 2006 and the years before.

The bulk of this growth came not from the television sector, which gave revenue worth Rs 22,600 crore, or about 44 per cent of the total industry size. By 2012, its share in the total pie will be over 50 per cent, as it is projected to contribute Rs 60,000 crore of the total industry size of Rs 1,15,700 crore.

As against the total compound annualized growth rate (CAGR) during 2008-12 of the industry that is pegged at 18 per cent, the TV industry will have a projected CAGR of 22 per cent during the period. During 2004-2007, the industry recorded a cumulative growth of 19 per cent on an overall basis.

In comparison, the film industry, which is sized now at Rs 9,600 crore now � a growth of 14 per cent over the 2006 � will have a CAGR of 13 per cent during 2008-12 to reach a size of Rs 17,600 crore by 2012.

Key findings of the report:

Overall
Current size in 2007: Rs. 513 billion; Projected size in 2012: Rs. 1,157 billion
Growth in 2007 over 2006: 17%; CAGR 2008-12: 18%

� Continuing with the trend of the previous years, the emergence of media conglomerates further intensified in 2007. Several media groups expanded beyond their traditional domains to leverage on the synergies of advertising, thus aiming to have a presence across all segments of the Indian E&M industry
� In 2007, foreign investments in the E&M sector reached a record high of USD 211 million, approximately Rs. 8.5 billion. This was seen as result of the extremely high number of investment deals announced in 2006 and the years before.
� The advertising industry is experiencing a paradigm shift with digital platforms enabling to reach the critical mass. This had resulted in consumers shifting from passive mediums to spending more time on digitally interactive mediums. Internet and mobile are two keys enablers for the same. Internet advertising is estimated at Rs 4.2 billion in 2008 growing at 32% CAGR, expected to touch Rs 11 billion in 2012.
� The E&M industry saw several deals in 2007 across various segments. As the case last year the television segment generated the most interest among investors
� 2007 continued the trend towards increased convergence between the E&M industry and the telecom industry. The most notable of these trends were witnessed in the mobile music segment. Other initiatives included newspaper industry going on-line with �e-papers� and mobile with �m-papers�. Digital cinema continued to make significant progress in the filmed industry, which also saw a rise in on-line and mobile ticketing sales. Most television broadcasters today have foraying into online and mobile portals.

Television industry
Current size in 2007: Rs. 226 billion; Projected size in 2012: Rs. 600 billion
Growth in 2007 over 2006: 18%; CAGR 2008-12: 22%
� Television industry is transforming with digitalization of distribution networks through increase in DTH subscribers which projected to grow at 44% CAGR over the next five years.
� CAS was made mandatory from January 1, 2007, but saw lukewarm response during the year.
� High growth in advertising revenues and emergence of alternate revenue streams especially SMS is driving the launch of several new channels, especially in the �general entertainment� genre.

Print Media
Current size in 2007: Rs. 149 billion; Projected size in 2012: Rs. 281 billion
Growth in 2007 over 2006: 16%; CAGR 2008-12: 14%
� New magazine launches in 2007 dominated the print industry in 2007 as a result of favorable FDI policies and manifested growth potential especially in the high-end niche genres
� Newspaper publishing was dominated with the increased regional publications

Filmed Entertainment
Current size in 2007: Rs. 96 billion; Projected size in 2012: Rs. 176 billion
Growth in 2007 over 2006: 14%; CAGR 2008-12: 13%
� Emergence of various revenue streams beyond traditional box office is changing the face of the Indian filmed entertainment industry such as television, mobile, internet, home video, merchandise, music, re-make rights and several branded entertainment opportunties
� Advent of �Studio Model� is further de-risking the business; 2007 saw interests by Hollywood studios in India such as Sony Pictures, Viacom and Fox
� Entry of players like Moser Baer is changing the Indian model for Home Video from rental to a sell-through; incumbents are following suit
�Talent is becoming �commoditized�; huge rush in 2007 to lock-in talent for a long term period

Radio
Current size in 2007: Rs. 6.2 billion; Projected size in 2012: Rs. 18 billion
Growth in 2007 over 2006: 24%; CAGR 2008-12: 24%
� Over 150 radio channels have operationalised by 2007 thus increasing the spread of radio.
� Phase-III plans have been drawn up which recommend additional 560 radio stations in the next five years
� Radio regulator TRAI has recommended to Government for allowing news on radio and increasing the FDI limit amongst other provisions; these recommendations are expected to make radio more favourable with advertisers.

Outlook for the next 5 years
Globally, the migration to digital formats is accelerating and this trend is likely to emerge in India too. Distribution of entertainment and media content over digital and mobile platforms�online digital streaming, digital movie/TV downloads, video-on-demand, music downloaded from the Internet, music downloaded to wireless phones, online advertising, online video games, wireless video games, and online gaming is like to rise significantly in the next five years.