New MIDiA report forecasts one billion creators by 2032 as AI reshapes the creative value chain

[LONDON – 21 October, 2025] – MIDiA Research, the global authority in music, creator economy and cross entertainment, has just released The State of the Video Creator Economy, a comprehensive new report that reveals that the number of global creators is set to surge by 76% to 1.1 billion by 2032.

The findings highlight a creator economy entering a transformative new phase – one defined by the integration of AI-powered productivity tools, the rise of creator-led studios, and traditional entertainment companies shifting towards social-first engagement strategies.

According to MIDiA’s latest data, the video creator value chain was worth $8.7 billion in 2024, driven by a near doubling of AI tools revenues to $215.5 million and a 11% rise in creative app revenues to $2.1 billion. Global video creator tools revenues are projected to grow by 9% year-on-year, reaching $9.7 billion in 2025.

At the same time, creators’ direct income streams continue to expand rapidly:

• Subscription and tipping revenues will climb 20% to $6.3 billion in 2025
• Advertising revenues will grow 16%, reaching $48.1 billion

The report also underscores the evolving definition of what it means to be a video creator. As AI tools democratise content production, creators are evolving into studios and franchises, and entertainment companies are adopting social-first strategies to engage audiences on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

The report outlines strategies creator tools companies can employ to increase time spent creating and is essential reading for product strategists, entertainment executives, and media leaders seeking to understand the dynamics shaping the next one billion creators.

Ben Woods, Creator Economy Analyst at MIDiA Research, said: “The maturing of the creator economy and the revolutionary power of AI tools will sustain the significant growth the industry has witnessed since the pandemic. However, the road to one billion creators will not be without its challenges. Only by addressing the pressure on a creators’ time and their growth struggles on social platforms will the industry realise its true potential in the years ahead.”

Mark Qi, Forecast and Modelling Analyst at MIDiA research said:“Video creation will continue to be at the centre of the creator economy’s onward growth. With an increasing number of consumers becoming creators, creator tools companies will need to explore how they can support areas such as fandom and virality with new tools, platforms, and AI offerings. Supported by AI’s explosive growth, we expect creator software revenues to overtake video creator hardware revenues within two years. While video creator hardware will face the threat of disintermediation by software, the hardware industry is still poised to grow until 2032 thanks to its own embrace of AI features within cameras and beyond.”   

About MIDiA Research

MIDiA Research is the global leading authority in music, the creator economy, and cross-entertainment. Our subscriptions, data tools, and strategy consulting bring clarity to complex industries by providing support and expertise. Our trusted data and powerful insights help make confident and impactful decisions. By leveraging multi-country consumer data, forecasts, market shares, and the insights from our creator panel, we empower clients to think differently, revealing unique solutions they did not even know existed.

With our deep understanding of both the business and culture of entertainment, we work with entertainment companies to navigate tough industry challenges. Driven by a passion for discovering new knowledge, insights, and solutions, our team nurtures creativity and innovation to consistently deliver dependable results.

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