Italian audiovisual market reaches €16.8 billion despite investment decline

The Italian audiovisual sector grew to €16.8 billion in 2025, a 3.1% increase from the previous year, according to the 8th annual report by the Italian producers association APA. This growth was primarily driven by online video, with free streaming services increasing by 15% and subscription platforms by 10.3%. Online video now accounts for 43% of the market, up from 21% in 2020.

However, the report highlights a significant downturn in production investments for cinema, TV, and video-on-demand, which fell to €2 billion—a 7.4% decrease and the first such decline since 2018. Scripted content for TV and streaming saw the largest drop, losing €122 million, while fiction production fell by 5.5% to €740 million.

APA attributes this slowdown to uncertainty regarding public funding frameworks, including regulatory amendments to domestic tax incentives and unclear eligibility criteria. This instability complicates planning for producers, particularly smaller companies. Despite the investment dip, employment in the sector rose by 3.3%, reaching 128,336 people in 2026.