Europe’s media firms brace for tough 2026 as ads fade and AI disrupts
2025-12-25 01:55
Television networks and publishing houses across Europe are staring down a rough 2026. New technology is changing everything, and advertising money is drying up. The numbers don’t look good. Media and entertainment companies are expected to grow earnings by 6.9% next year. The broader market? Projected to hit 10% growth. Tom Ward at Bloomberg Intelligence says advertising problems and artificial intelligence uncertainty aren’t going anywhere. Stock prices in the sector already took a beating in 2025. Trade disputes and political mess have made European businesses nervous. Advertising budgets get cut first when companies worry about the future. Media firms that depend on ad revenue are feeling the squeeze. There’s a direct link between ad spending and economic confidence, Ward says. When things look bad, businesses pull back on campaigns. The damage is real. In October, advertising giant WPP Plc slashed its outlook. It has seen a 60% drop this year,...
