4K Content Market - Forecast(2024 - 2030)

4K Content Market Overview

The Global 4K Content market size is forecast to reach $115.6 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 18.1% from 2021 to 2026. Factors attributing to the market growth include growing demand for high resolution displays for meeting changing consumer preferences, rising shift towards producing high definition (HD) or ultra high definition (UHD) television broadcasting, increasing investment on high media projection for digital cinematography applications and many others. In addition, growing advancement of Blu-ray technology ensuring larger data storage capacity, high spending on UHD advertising, along with shift towards digital signage like LCD, LED, OLED and related displays can also help in boosting the market growth overtime. Growing advancement towards 5G technology, increasing demand towards 4K resolution supporting devices/appliances, growing penetration of various OTT or online streaming platform services and others are further set to aid the market growth of 4K content in the long run.

Report Coverage

The report based on: “4K Content Market Forecast (2021-2026)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the 4K Content Market.

By Content Type: TV Shows, Movies, Others

By Business Model: Pay TV, OTT ((Subscription-Video-on-demand (SVOD), Transaction-Video-on-demand (TVOD), Ad-based Video-on-demand (AVOD)), others

By Distribution Channel: 4K Streaming, 4K Cable or Satellite TV Providers, Others

By Geography: North America (U.S, Canada, Mexico), Europe (U.K, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Others), APAC (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Others), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Others) and RoW (Middle East, Africa)

Key Takeaways

• 4K streaming channel is anticipated to grow with the highest CAGR in the global 4K content market during the forecast period 2021-2026, owing to rise in online media platforms and surging demand towards HD digital video content.
• APAC 4K Content market had accounted for the largest share in 2020, attributing to factors like growing number of OTT platform subscriptions and rising penetration of online or digital media content.
• Increasing demand towards 4K resolution supporting devices/appliances along with growing advancements in 5G technology is analyzed to significantly drive the global 4K content market during 2021-2026.
  
  
  Global 4K Content Market Value Share, By Geography, 2020 (%)

4K Content Market Segment Analysis- By Content Type

Based on content type, Movies segment is analyzed to account for the highest CAGR of around 19.2% in the global 4K Content market during 2021-2026. Growing demand towards high resolution video content for films, increased spending on production of high graphics and animated Hollywood movies, and so on have been attributing to the market growth. 4K resolution based movies have been gaining wide popularity towards drawing massive audience attention as well as higher support of varied OTT or streaming platforms towards 4K movie content can also help in aiding its market growth. In addition, trends like supporting 4K resolution or video format content production, and distribution by film or movie production houses can also contribute to the market growth overtime. In September 2021, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment announced about one of the most popular martial art drama, Karate Kid will be coming back using 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. The movie will be issued as a collectible limited edition 4K UHD set, including Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, as well as selection of new special features. In October 2021, Toho International had revealed about its partnership with Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, as a part of celebrating 67^th anniversary of the Godzilla film. Under this, a 4K remaster of the original 1954 Godzilla film will be premiered in theatres, starting from November 3. Such factors are further set to assist the market demand for 4K movie content, thus positively impacting its market growth in the long run.

4K Content Market Segment Analysis- By Distribution Channel

Based on distribution channel, 4K streaming segment is analyzed to witness the fastest growth in the global 4K Content Market with a CAGR of 20.6% during the forecast period 2021-2026. Factors including growing demand for high definition digital video content as well as rise of online media streaming platforms have been attributing towards the market growth. Additionally, investments on ultra high definition or high quality resolution based short films, movies and others, as well as high R&D activities related to 4K smart TVs, smartphones, laptops and many consumer electronic products, can also fuel the demand for 4K streaming services in the long run. In July 2021, Tata Sky had revealed about its launch of a 4K HDR streaming service, using Binge+ Box, alongside eliminating any additional costs during the first year. With this, Tata Sky Binge+ subscribers will be offered one year free access to Travelxp channel and six international streaming services including Sportyfy, Luxe & Life, Health & Wellness, Be crazy and others. Such factors towards elevating content viewing experience for the consumers through 4K streaming distribution channel, is further set to drive its market growth in the coming time.

4K Content Market Segment Analysis- By Geography

APAC region had dominated the global 4K Content market with a share of 36% in 2020, and is also anticipated to witness significant growth during the forecast period 2021-2026. Factors including rapid pace of digitalization, growing penetration of online and digital content, along with increased number of OTT platform subscriptions have been attributing to the market growth in the region. According to India Brand Equity Foundation, the OTT sector of India had witnessed a rise of 30% (around 29 million) in paid subscribers, within the timespan of March and July 2020 alone. In addition, growing demand for high definition or video graphics for gaming, rise in expenditures towards advertising revenue, along with higher audience preferences towards 3D or high definition animated movies within India, China and many others will be also influencing the demand for 4K content overtime. High investments on R&D activities towards 4K format or 4K resolution supported consumer products including television, gaming consoles, smartphones and so on along with surge in high definition multimedia content due to use of social media platforms can also contribute to the growing demand for 4K content in the long run. In June 2021, a Chinese consumer electronics company, TCL announced about the launch of its first mini 4K QLED smart television, named C-Series in the Indian market. Development of this model was meant to offer enhanced contrast as well as colour accuracy, thus supporting Dolby Vision high dynamic range, Dolby Vision IQ with low latency mode for improved gaming experiences. Such factors will further assist the market growth of 4K content in the coming time.

4K Content Market Drivers

Increasing demand towards 4K resolution supporting devices/appliances drives the market forward

Increasing demand towards 4K resolution supporting devices/appliances act as one of the major factors driving the market growth of 4K Content. Owing to surging demand for high-definition media content from youth or teenagers, growing penetration of digital media platforms and so on, the need for high resolution supported consumer appliances or devices including PCs, televisions, smartphones, and others have been getting impacted significantly. In addition, technological advances including like augmented or virtual reality for gaming applications, growing demand for home theaters along with increasing shift towards improving high definition graphics, animations and video quality within consumer products will also create higher demand on developing 4K format support consumer devices in the long run. In September 2021, Hyundai Electronics announced about the launch of a new range of smart LED TVs in India, with 4K Ultra HD and ThinQ AI voice recognition capabilities. These TV models are integrated with ARM CA55 1.1 GHz processors, making them four times faster than conventional TV models, along with installed applications or online streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar, YouTube, and many others. Such developments towards 4K resolution supported TV models are further set to drive the market growth forward in the coming time.

Growing advancement towards 5G technology will positively drive the market growth of 4K media content

Growing advancement towards 5G technology can also be considered as a major driver boosting the market growth of 4K content. Leveraging ultra wideband massive bandwidth as well as low latency of 5G networks, recording and streaming of data intensive 4K video become exceptionally high quality, attributing to its market growth. This in turn, helps in improving personalized viewing experience, volumetric video capture, motion capture and related application areas, enhancing the market growth towards 4K content production, distribution and broadcasting. According to Ericsson Mobility Report June 2020, the global number of 5G subscriptions is anticipated to reach 2.8 billion by 2025, as a part of contributing to 45% of global mobile data traffic. This shows the need for transforming media delivery supply chains including content production, management, distribution, and so on. In November 2020, Zixi had revealed its collaboration with Verizon 5G networks for testing live linear 4K broadcast media workflows for 5G distribution. This will further extend Zixi’s support towards meeting audience demand for 4K & HDR content across 5G enabled devices, while helping broadcasters as well as OTT service providers. Such factors are further set to propel the market growth of 4K content in the long run.

4K Content Market Challenges

High costs associated with 4K compatible devices hinders the market growth of 4K content 

High costs associated with 4K compatible devices act as one of the prime factors restraining the market growth of 4K content. Since high resolution media sharing, storage and content distribution require large bandwidth networks, attributing to additional on-demand service charges for the end use customers. Various streaming platforms charge extra costs for high definition video content streaming, slowing down its adoptability. The average price for a 4K resolution TV ranges from $300 to $600 under model size of 50 to 65 inches. Purchasing these smart TVs incur higher expenses majorly for households, in comparison to traditional TV used earlier. Such factors have been creating an adverse impact on the market growth of 4K content.

4K Content Market Landscape

Partnership, Acquisitions, Collaboration, technology launches and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the 4K Content Market. The 4K Content market top 10 companies include:

1. Netflix Inc.
2. Amazon Inc.
3. Roku Inc.
4. Tata Sky
5. VUDU
6. Virgin Media
7. Apple Inc.
8. Realme
9. Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution (Disney+Hotstar)
10. Hulu

Acquisitions/Technology Launches

• In September 2021, Roku Inc. announced the launch of its new streaming stick, capable of providing 4K streaming in a portable form factor. This development was done incorporated with features including Voice Remote Pro, particularly for users in need of upgrading their streaming experience with a rechargeable as well as hands-free voice remote.
• In September 2021, Amazon announced the launch of Fire TV Stick 4K Max, capable of being 40% more powerful compared to the existing model Fire TV Stick 4K. With Wi-Fi 6 support, this development was done to offer smoother streaming experience in 4K.

Relevant Report Titles

4K Display Resolution Market Analysis-Forecast (2021 - 2026)

Report Code: ESR 0100

Pay TV Market- Forecast (2021-2026)

Report Code: ITR 52586

For more Information and Communication Technology related reports, please click here