Behaviours under coronavirus-driven lockdowns accelerated underlying digital consumption trends. Remote working and ongoing restrictions mean streaming behaviour is up across formats and demographics at the same time that some traditional entertainment formats effectively ceased. 2021 will see the rise of creators and services directly able to capitalise on the increased entertainment time now available online. Niche propositions will trend increasingly towards mainstream, causing the digital long tail to expand exponentially. Authenticity of voice and speed of adaptability to content output will be key to content success in 2021. Meanwhile, robust strategic distribution partnerships and ecosystem infrastructure plays through service bundling, will define entertainment business success in the coming year.

Companies and brands mentioned in this report:   Amazon, Amazon Prime Video, Amuse, Apex Legends, Apple, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, Apple News, Apple TV+, BBC, BBC Sounds, Coalition for App Fairness, DAZN, Daybreak, Disney, Disney+, EA Games, ESPN+, Eleven Sports, Epic Games, FIFA, Fortnite, Freaks            Gaming, HBO Max, Hi-Rez Studios, Kingdom,            Bank, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Openbank, Orange Is The New Black, Peacock, Spotify, Spotify Fan First, Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, The Witcher, Tiger King, Twitch, Vodaphone, WarnerMedia, iCloud