29.01.2018 Media industry
Media Subscriptions to Replace Advertising. TMT Predictions 2018
BARD
Some publishers already consider attempts to generate revenue from online advertising a waste of time. According to the "TMT Predictions 2018" report by Deloitte, by the end of 2018, half of all adults in developed countries will have at least two online media subscriptions.

The TMT Predictions 2018 report by Deloitte experts forecasts that by the end of 2018, half of adults in developed countries will have at least two online media subscriptions, increasing to four by 2020. The cost of these subscriptions, primarily covering television, movies, music, news, and press, will average below $10 per month in 2018. The global subscriber count is projected to reach 350 million people, with 580 million subscriptions, most of which will be VoD (375 million).
Up to 20% of adults in developed countries will subscribe to, or have access to, at least five paid online media subscriptions, and by 2020, this figure could rise to ten.
- "The subscription model has been long known in traditional media, such as print magazine subscriptions. Now, we are witnessing its growing popularity online due to several factors," says Jakub Wróbel, Senior Manager in Deloitte`s Consulting Department. - "The primary drivers are increasingly attractive content available on multiple devices and a growing customer base willing to pay for it."
This trend is also supported by technological advancements and faster internet connections. In Poland, recent years have seen the growth of video services like Netflix, Player.pl, and ShowMax, which also invest in local productions. The trend of "binge-watching," where entire seasons of shows are available at once, allows viewers to spend hours watching on TVs, computers, or phones without interruption.
According to Deloitte’s research, this trend is especially prevalent among millennials, where:
- 90% admit to binge-watching,
- and 38% do so regularly (data from U.S. viewers).
- "As this trend continues, content providers and advertisers will look for ways to leverage it to better reach customers. At the same time, we can expect an increase in content suitable for binge-watching," comments Jakub Wróbel.
The End of Advertising in Media? A Bold Prediction
According to the authors of the "TMT Predictions 2018" report, as media reach increases, revenue per reader, viewer, ad impression, or click is decreasing. Deloitte experts emphasize that, in this situation, some publishers see attempts to generate revenue from online advertising as a waste of time. Consequently, content creators may focus on increasing subscription revenues and creating more varied, audience-specific subscription packages.
This shift is supported by research on ad-blocking trends. Deloitte experts estimate that, by 2018, 10% of adults in North America will engage in at least four simultaneous ad-blocking actions on computers and mobile devices, reflecting a condition known as “ad-phobia.”
Data from 2017 published by Page Fair reveals that:
- Ad-blocking software is installed on 615 million devices worldwide
- 11% of global internet users block ads
- Global ad-block usage increased by 30% in one year
In Poland, ad-block usage reached 33% among internet users in 2017, placing Polish users among the highest in the world for ad-block adoption.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section Media industry
User Generated Content. A minefield for journalists and media
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Over 40% of internet users judge information credibility by likes and views. Only 20% use traditional news channels as a main and first source. A Reuters Institute report highlights the scale and risks of User Generated Content and offers advice on how media can avoid falling into its trap.
Social Media in 2025. Generational Differences Are Crystal Clear
KFi
More and more people are saying they’re cutting back on time spent on social media. And while this doesn’t mean a mass exodus, the trend is clear. According to latest GWI report, 31% of users said they had reduced their social media use. There’s also a subtle frustration.
Can a Robot Be Good Boss? Researchers from SWPS Look for Answers
SWPS
A robot giving orders at work is no longer a science fiction scenario - it's a research topic. Scientists from SWPS University in Poland set out to find out whether a robot can effectively manage human workers.
See articles on a similar topic:
We Trust AI-Generated Fake News More Than Human-Created News
KrzysztoF
Generating and spreading misinformation with AI can negatively affect various areas of life, including global healthcare. To examine how AI-created text impacts the comprehension of information, researchers from the University of Zurich analyzed tweets generated by GPT-3.
Disinformation 2024. Major Threats According to the Global Risk Report
KrzysztoF
In 2024, the world will face several global threats, including disinformation, climate change, and armed conflicts. These three challenges will have a significant impact on the economy, society, and the environment. These findings come from the "Global Risks Report" by the World Economic Forum.
COVID-Skeptics in Media. Dentsu Agency Study
BARD
A significant presence of COVID-skepticism, which downplays the pandemic or focuses on conspiracy theories, accounts for approximately 8% of online content related to the coronavirus. The primary sources of knowledge about COVID-19 and the current situation are the internet, social media, television, and increasingly, family and friends.
Disinformation and Fake News. Experts Discuss Challenges for Journalists
RINF
The pandemic, followed by the war in Ukraine, triggered a massive wave of disinformation in media and social channels. Experts at the Impact’22 Congress in Poznań and the European Economic Congress in Katowice discussed effective strategies to combat disinformation.