The impact of the internet and digitalization on the European creative sector

Oliver & Ohlbaum has conducted a study with Analysys Mason examining the impact of the internet and digitalization on the European creative sector. We reviewed existing research, collated available data, and conducted interviews with industry stakeholders to develop a detailed view of the opportunities and challenges presented by the internet to the four core ‘copyright-led’ industries: television, film and video; music; books; video games – along with cultural institutions.

Our work suggests that, while the specific impacts vary by creative industry and by market, the internet and digitalization have had a positive impact on the European creative sector overall. The data show that both revenue and employment increased between 2011 and 2015 by 6.2 per cent and 4.8 per cent respectively. The specific impacts can be thought of in three broad areas:

• reduced production and distribution costs;

• increased competition leading to new business models; and

• benefits to consumers and content creators.

Our report sets out the overarching trends in the creative sector in terms of revenue and employment, before examining the specific impact areas for each of the industries in turn.

Click here to read our report in full.