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U.K. (FTSE) Media Industry Analysis

UpdatedDec 31, 2025
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies27
  • 7D1.6%
  • 3M-3.0%
  • 1Y-16.1%
  • YTD-16.6%

In the last week, the Media industry is up 1.6%, with WPP leading the way, up 3.4%. In contrast, the industry has lost 16% in the last 12 months. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 27% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

Has the U.K. Media Industry valuation changed over the past few years?

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Wed, 31 Dec 2025UK£24.3bUK£33.0bUK£403.9m14.5x60.1x0.7x
Fri, 28 Nov 2025UK£24.6bUK£33.1bUK£416.0m14.5x59.1x0.7x
Sun, 26 Oct 2025UK£24.8bUK£33.1bUK£415.9m13.1x59.7x0.7x
Tue, 23 Sep 2025UK£24.7bUK£33.2bUK£438.1m13.6x56.4x0.7x
Thu, 21 Aug 2025UK£25.1bUK£33.4bUK£482.2m12.7x52.2x0.8x
Sat, 19 Jul 2025UK£24.7bUK£33.7bUK£1.1b11.9x23.5x0.7x
Mon, 16 Jun 2025UK£25.3bUK£33.6bUK£1.1b11.3x24.1x0.8x
Wed, 14 May 2025UK£26.0bUK£33.6bUK£1.1b12.1x24.7x0.8x
Fri, 11 Apr 2025UK£22.5bUK£33.8bUK£1.1b11.3x20.2x0.7x
Sun, 09 Mar 2025UK£26.7bUK£28.3bUK£1.6b12.5x17x0.9x
Tue, 04 Feb 2025UK£30.5bUK£28.8bUK£1.3b16.4x23.9x1.1x
Thu, 02 Jan 2025UK£30.1bUK£28.7bUK£1.3b15x23.6x1x
Sat, 30 Nov 2024UK£29.3bUK£28.7bUK£1.3b15.3x22.7x1x
Mon, 28 Oct 2024UK£28.6bUK£28.6bUK£1.3b16.7x22.2x1x
Wed, 25 Sep 2024UK£29.9bUK£28.7bUK£1.3b19.5x22.7x1x
Fri, 23 Aug 2024UK£30.1bUK£28.8bUK£1.3b18.3x23.7x1x
Sun, 21 Jul 2024UK£30.5bUK£28.7bUK£1.0b20.3x30.4x1.1x
Tue, 18 Jun 2024UK£30.4bUK£28.7bUK£999.5m18.4x30.4x1.1x
Thu, 16 May 2024UK£32.1bUK£28.7bUK£997.6m20.5x32.2x1.1x
Sat, 13 Apr 2024UK£30.6bUK£28.7bUK£964.6m21.3x31.7x1.1x
Mon, 11 Mar 2024UK£29.7bUK£29.1bUK£799.2m26.3x37.2x1x
Wed, 07 Feb 2024UK£29.9bUK£28.9bUK£1.2b20x24.3x1x
Fri, 05 Jan 2024UK£31.7bUK£29.6bUK£1.2b18.2x26.7x1.1x
Sun, 03 Dec 2023UK£30.5bUK£29.6bUK£1.2b16.2x25.7x1x
Tue, 31 Oct 2023UK£29.5bUK£29.0bUK£1.2b18.3x24.9x1x
Thu, 28 Sep 2023UK£30.1bUK£29.0bUK£1.2b18x25.1x1x
Sat, 26 Aug 2023UK£30.3bUK£28.9bUK£1.1b23.8x27.7x1x
Mon, 24 Jul 2023UK£32.3bUK£27.8bUK£1.2b20.6x27.2x1.2x
Wed, 21 Jun 2023UK£32.4bUK£27.8bUK£1.2b44.1x27.8x1.2x
Fri, 19 May 2023UK£33.4bUK£27.8bUK£1.2b40.4x28.1x1.2x
Sun, 16 Apr 2023UK£33.9bUK£27.7bUK£1.1b25.1x30.1x1.2x
Tue, 14 Mar 2023UK£33.8bUK£27.2bUK£1.2b20.3x28.2x1.2x
Thu, 09 Feb 2023UK£36.4bUK£26.2bUK£1.3b17x27.2x1.4x
Sat, 07 Jan 2023UK£32.8bUK£26.1bUK£1.3b14.1x24.5x1.3x
Price to Earnings Ratio

24.5x


Total Market Cap: UK£32.8bTotal Earnings: UK£1.3bTotal Revenue: UK£26.1bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.K. Media Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 30.5x20242025
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the British Media industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 60.1x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 30.5x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.0x is higher than the industry's current PS ratio of 0.74x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Media industry have declined 33% per year over the last three years.
  • Meanwhile revenues for these companies have grown 8.0% per year.
  • This means that although more sales are being generated, either the cost of doing business or the level of investment back into businesses has increased, which has decreased profits.

Industry Trends

Which industries have driven the changes within the U.K. Telecom industry?

GB Market0.71%
Telecom1.93%
Media1.63%
Broadcasting2.19%
Advertising1.55%
Cable and Satellite0%0
Publishing-0.0023%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Advertising industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio of 45.0x.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 24.8%, which is higher than its past year's earnings growth of 5.9% per year.
  • Investors are most pessimistic about the Publishing industry, which is trading below its 3-year average of 15.3x.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Broadcasting industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 38% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings decline of 57% per year.
  • In contrast, the Publishing industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 16% per year over the next few years.

Top Stock Gainers and Losers

Which companies have driven the market over the last 7 days?

CompanyLast Price7D1YValuation
WPP WPPUK£3.413.4%
+UK£121.2m		-58.8%PE9.6x
INF InformaUK£8.881.0%
+UK£107.6m		11.2%PE155.9x
CAN Canal+UK£2.692.6%
+UK£66.7m		32.3%PS0.5x
ITV ITVUK£0.831.8%
+UK£56.4m		12.2%PE16.7x
SFOR S4 CapitalUK£0.1917.9%
+UK£19.3m		-42.1%PS0.2x

Latest News

FUTR
UK£5.26
Future
7D
-0.8%
1Y
-43.3%

FUTR Will Deliver Upside As Dividend Visibility And Earnings Outlook Improve

Analysts nudged their price target on Future modestly higher to align with an improved projected future P E multiple and slightly adjusted risk assumptions, resulting in an updated fair value estimate of approximately $11.68 per share, up from around $11.68 previously. What's in the News Future plc's board proposed a final dividend of 17.0 pence per share for the year ended 30 September 2025, subject to shareholder approval at the AGM.
RCH
UK£0.54
Reach
7D
-0.9%
1Y
-35.3%

RCH: Cost Discipline And Resilient Print Will Drive Future Upside

Analysts have nudged their price target for Reach slightly higher to align with a modestly improved profit margin outlook and stable valuation multiples, while overall fair value remains steady. What's in the News Issued 2025 earnings guidance, expressing confidence in future performance supported by three strategic priorities (company guidance) Profit expectations supported by resilient print operations and disciplined cost management, with a target of 4% to 5% cost savings for the year (company guidance) Expects full year digital revenues to be broadly flat year over year amid volatile referral volumes and a weak macroeconomic backdrop (company guidance) Reaffirmed confidence in meeting market expectations for full year 2025 results (company guidance) Valuation Changes Fair value is unchanged at £0.68 per share, indicating a stable overall valuation assessment.
YOU
UK£2.61
YouGov
7D
3.8%
1Y
-37.1%

YOU Forecast Will Weigh Dividend And Execution Risks Against Cautious Outlook

The analyst price target for YouGov has been revised down by analysts to approximately GBP 3.75 per share from about GBP 4.38, reflecting more conservative assumptions on revenue growth and profitability, while broadly maintaining constructive long term expectations. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research reflects a more cautious stance on YouGov, with price targets being trimmed to levels that imply limited upside from current trading.
CAN
UK£2.69
Canal+
7D
2.6%
1Y
32.3%

There Are Reasons To Feel Uneasy About Canal+'s (LON:CAN) Returns On Capital

Dec 24
There Are Reasons To Feel Uneasy About Canal+'s (LON:CAN) Returns On Capital
STVG
UK£1.06
STV Group
7D
-4.9%
1Y
-51.9%

STVG: Margin Outlook Will Support Confidence Despite Near Term Revenue Headwinds

Analysts have trimmed their price target on STV Group from approximately £2.22 to £1.59, citing a sharper discount rate and lower expected revenue growth that more than offset improvements in profit margin and a cheaper projected valuation multiple. What's in the News STV Group plc stated that it will not propose an interim dividend for the period ended 30 June 2025, citing an uncertain trading environment, with the Board keeping the decision under review (Key Developments).
WPP
UK£3.41
WPP
7D
3.4%
1Y
-58.8%
ITV
UK£0.83
ITV
7D
1.8%
1Y
12.2%

ITV: Comcast Talks Will Expose Mounting Pressure On Core Broadcasting Profitability

Analysts have reduced their price target for ITV to approximately £1.05 per share from about £1.12. This reflects slightly lower assumptions for long term revenue growth, profit margins, and valuation multiples, while still maintaining a constructive view on the stock.
SFOR
UK£0.19
S4 Capital
7D
17.9%
1Y
-42.1%
INF
UK£8.88
Informa
7D
1.0%
1Y
11.2%

INF: Future Returns Will Be Driven By Compounding B2B Events Recovery

Analysts have nudged their price target for Informa higher, reflecting a modest uptick in estimated fair value to about $10.93 and a higher future P E multiple, even as they factor in slightly lower revenue growth and profit margin forecasts. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates point to a constructive stance on Informa, with price targets moving higher as analysts refine their views on the group’s recovery trajectory and earnings power.
NFG
UK£3.17
Next 15 Group
7D
2.9%
1Y
-19.4%

NFG: Higher Future Earnings Multiple May Drive Bullish Rerating Ahead

Analysts have modestly raised their price target on Next 15 Group, lifting fair value by about £1.06 per share as they factor in a slightly lower discount rate and higher future earnings multiple despite marginally weaker projected growth and margins. Valuation Changes Fair Value: increased from £3.29 to £4.35 per share, reflecting a modest upward revision in intrinsic value estimates.
FOUR
UK£38.65
4imprint Group
7D
-0.4%
1Y
-20.4%
SYS1
UK£2.25
System1 Group
7D
-6.3%
1Y
-63.7%

Do System1 Group's (LON:SYS1) Earnings Warrant Your Attention?

Dec 11
Do System1 Group's (LON:SYS1) Earnings Warrant Your Attention?
NAH
UK£0.34
NAHL Group
7D
-7.0%
1Y
-52.2%

NAHL Group (LON:NAH) Is Doing The Right Things To Multiply Its Share Price

Dec 11
NAHL Group (LON:NAH) Is Doing The Right Things To Multiply Its Share Price
SCGL
UK£0.003
Sealand Capital Galaxy
7D
-7.7%
1Y
-80.6%
BMY
UK£4.86
Bloomsbury Publishing
7D
1.4%
1Y
-27.9%
PEBB
UK£0.43
Pebble Group
7D
-1.1%
1Y
-5.5%