2027 is shaping up to be a year of contradictions. 

We're eager to watch how the media and entertainment industries evolve in these turbulent times. The unpredictability and chaos bring with them opportunity; let’s see who takes advantage. 

On the one hand, AI’s staggering growth promises to continue to transform sectors across media and entertainment. The agency model that has long relied on time-based fees will shift towards performance-based pricing as AI rewrites industry standards. AI will also revolutionize casino gaming as agentic AI speeds up game development while cutting costs. 

On the other hand, streaming and creator companies that have been growing for years will need to show signs of long-term stability for future investment. The U.S. streaming market primarily relies on viewer engagement, while outside the U.S., partnerships and consolidation will be necessary for broadcasters and streamers to efficiently reach audiences. The creator economy is due for a major valuation reset; building a successful business will prove much more of a challenge than building a large audience. The table is set for a flurry of M&A activity, with increased scrutiny around deal outcomes and their downstream implications.