The Asia-Pacific screen economy is projected to reach $179 billion in 2026 and $200 billion by 2031, according to Media Partners Asia executive director Vivek Couto at the APOS 2026 conference.
Four Forces Driving Change
Couto identified four forces reshaping the sector: the region's screen expansion to 5.2 billion by 2031, monetization shifts towards retail media, the convergence of video and commerce platforms, and AI's impact on content production costs and formats.
Per-Capita Revenue Gap
A significant per-capita revenue gap exists, with APAC earning $46 per person annually compared to $890 in the U.S. “The next five years are about converting reach into money,” Couto noted.
Streaming vs. Pay-TV
The debate between streaming and pay-TV has shifted. By 2031, SVOD will outpace pay-TV subscriptions by more than five to one. India, led by the JioHotstar bundle, drives this growth, with significant subscription increases expected across the region.
Advertising and CTV Growth
APAC adspend is projected to grow 5.2% year-on-year in 2026, with digital advertising dominating. Connected TV homes are set to triple, yet ad dollars lag due to fragmented measurement standards. “The prize on this screen is large, and it is still unclaimed,” Couto stated.
Retail media, tied directly to transactions, leads digital ad growth, with influencer advertising in Southeast Asia at $2 billion and creator-driven commerce at $50 billion.
Microdrama and AI
The microdrama market outside China is expected to triple to $9 billion by 2031. AI-generated content is a growing force, accounting for 40% of the top-100 microdrama chart on Chinese platforms.
According to MPA estimates, AI could improve profit-and-loss by $9-15 billion annually in APAC ex-China by 2031, with production efficiency gains being the largest component.
Couto warned, “The cost savings are real, and they are bankable. The trust is the constraint.”
APOS 2026 runs June 16–17.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/asia-pacific-screen-economy-200-billion-apos-1236782758/
