The fandom eclipse How fan content is competing with IP

Fan-made content is evolving from a support act to a fully-fledged competitor to entertainment IP. This is creating tension between IP holders and the fan community. Both parties want the IP they love to thrive in a saturated entertainment landscape. This report will unpack whether entertainment IP holders should view fan content creation as an opportunity or a threat given its strength at capturing young people’s attention. Key to this is understanding the profile of fan-made creators and how best to engage with them.

Key data in this report:

Do fans prefer fan-made content to the originals?
Consumer engagement habits with original version and fan-made content in TV shows and movies, music, and games by age, Q1 2025, US, UK, Australia, and Canada
Conceptual graphic unpacking types of fan content in TV shows and movies, music, and games – key characteristics, tools used, and legal risks
Conceptual graphic of fan content creator types – World Expanders, Community Mavens, Proxy Consumers, and Amplifiers
How much money do fans spend on their favourite entertainment?
Total annual spending on entertainment for fans in US, UK, Australia, and Canada, Q1 2025
Visualisation of factors driving fan-made content creation – based on fanbase passion, skill level, and time since the IP’s last new release

This report sources data from:

MIDiA Research Consumer Survey Q1 2025, US, UK, Australia, Canada, Total-4,011
MIDiA Research Consumer Survey Q4 2024, US, UK, Australia, Canada, Total-4,003
MIDiA Research Consumer Survey Q4 2021, US, UK, Australia, Canada, Total-4,000

Words: 5700 Infographics: 4 Pages: 23

Companies and brands mentioned: Andor, Audiomack, Baldur’s Gate 3, Battle Kitty, Berkai Cinematics, Bon Iver, Bridgerton, Capcom, Cash Cobain, CBS, Celebrity Memoir Book Club, Charli XCX, Chats and Reacts, Crypton Future Media, Darth Vader, DC Comics, Delicious in Dungeon, Dino Crisis Rebirth, Disney, Star Wars, Epic Games, Elden Ring, Elf.Tech AI, Fallout 4, Fred Again, Gianmaria Pezzato, Grand Theft Auto VI, GTA V: Marvel Universe Role Play, Grimes, Harry Potter, Hatsune Miku, Honkai: Star Rail, Iron Man, Kai Cenat, Magic: The Gathering, Marvel, Maximillian DOOD, Minecraft NES, Netflix, Nintendo, Paramount, Pokémon Uranium, Resident Evil, Retro Game Corps, Shamook, Skyrim: Marvel Heroes in Tamriel, SNES, Star TrekAxanar, Star Trek, Steam, Stefano Cagnani, Switch, Taylor Swift, The Mandalorian, Tryangle Films, Videobolt, Voldemort: Origins of the Heir, Wii U, Wii, and YouTube

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