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U.S. Media Industry Analysis

UpdatedAug 18, 2026
DataAggregated Company Financials
Companies122
  • 7D-1.4%
  • 3M-16.2%
  • 1Y-17.2%
  • YTD-29.9%

Over the last 7 days, the Media industry has dropped 1.4%, driven by a pullback from AppLovin of 8.0%. Meanwhile, Fox actually outperformed within the industry, gaining 9.1% in the last week. The industry has fallen 17% in the last year. Looking forward, earnings are forecast to grow by 21% annually.

Industry Valuation and Performance

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

DateMarket CapRevenueEarningsPEAbsolute PEPS
Tue, 18 Aug 2026US$304.5bUS$213.2bUS$1.3b22.9x227.3x1.4x
Thu, 16 Jul 2026US$187.0bUS$203.9b-US$9,467,783,572.3623.1x-19.8x0.9x
Sat, 13 Jun 2026US$201.9bUS$204.5b-US$9,584,611,267.8624.1x-21.1x1x
Mon, 11 May 2026US$208.0bUS$206.4b-US$9,592,248,679.8314x-21.7x1x
Wed, 08 Apr 2026US$212.7bUS$202.6b-US$9,984,760,822.9014.7x-21.3x1x
Fri, 06 Mar 2026US$224.0bUS$205.7b-US$9,926,623,961.5724.3x-22.6x1.1x
Sun, 01 Feb 2026US$225.3bUS$205.9b-US$2,046,768,459.3015.8x-110.1x1.1x
Tue, 30 Dec 2025US$342.7bUS$330.4bUS$20.9b16x16.4x1x
Thu, 27 Nov 2025US$316.0bUS$332.7bUS$20.1b16.4x15.7x0.9x
Sat, 25 Oct 2025US$343.2bUS$330.6bUS$31.1b19.6x11x1x
Mon, 22 Sep 2025US$359.4bUS$330.6bUS$31.2b20.7x11.5x1.1x
Wed, 20 Aug 2025US$345.2bUS$330.6bUS$31.2b20.5x11.1x1x
Fri, 18 Jul 2025US$376.9bUS$331.8bUS$19.0b17.8x19.9x1.1x
Sun, 15 Jun 2025US$364.2bUS$331.7bUS$19.5b16x18.6x1.1x
Tue, 13 May 2025US$368.2bUS$330.7bUS$19.6b15.9x18.8x1.1x
Thu, 10 Apr 2025US$326.1bUS$334.3bUS$20.4b14.7x16x1x
Sat, 08 Mar 2025US$375.4bUS$334.2bUS$20.0b15.2x18.8x1.1x
Mon, 03 Feb 2025US$386.3bUS$330.7bUS$16.8b13.5x23x1.2x
Wed, 01 Jan 2025US$396.9bUS$329.9bUS$15.2b13.6x26.1x1.2x
Fri, 29 Nov 2024US$438.7bUS$330.0bUS$15.2b15.5x28.8x1.3x
Sun, 27 Oct 2024US$407.5bUS$318.6bUS$16.4b13.4x24.8x1.3x
Tue, 24 Sep 2024US$392.8bUS$318.4bUS$16.6b13.9x23.6x1.2x
Thu, 22 Aug 2024US$396.6bUS$327.3bUS$17.5b12.9x22.6x1.2x
Sat, 20 Jul 2024US$392.0bUS$329.3bUS$23.2b13.6x16.9x1.2x
Mon, 17 Jun 2024US$365.5bUS$329.3bUS$23.2b11.7x15.8x1.1x
Wed, 15 May 2024US$376.8bUS$329.4bUS$23.1b12.1x16.3x1.1x
Fri, 12 Apr 2024US$366.1bUS$330.5bUS$21.6b13.9x17x1.1x
Sun, 10 Mar 2024US$383.0bUS$330.7bUS$21.4b15.8x17.9x1.2x
Tue, 06 Feb 2024US$392.3bUS$317.0bUS$22.1b13.5x17.7x1.2x
Thu, 04 Jan 2024US$408.4bUS$332.3bUS$23.2b13x17.6x1.2x
Sat, 02 Dec 2023US$398.9bUS$332.8bUS$23.2b12.7x17.2x1.2x
Mon, 30 Oct 2023US$372.4bUS$334.6bUS$24.4b11.6x15.3x1.1x
Wed, 27 Sep 2023US$415.8bUS$334.2bUS$15.6b15.4x26.6x1.2x
Fri, 25 Aug 2023US$426.0bUS$334.3bUS$15.7b14.4x27.1x1.3x
Price to Earnings Ratio

27.1x


Total Market Cap: US$426.0bTotal Earnings: US$15.7bTotal Revenue: US$334.3bTotal Market Cap vs Earnings and Revenue0%0%0%
U.S. Media Industry Price to Earnings3Y Average 12x202420252026
Current Industry PE
  • Investors are optimistic on the American Media industry, and appear confident in long term growth rates.
  • The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 227x which is higher than its 3-year average PE of 12.0x.
  • The 3-year average PS ratio of 1.1x is lower than the industry's current PS ratio of 1.4x.
Past Earnings Growth
  • The earnings for companies in the Media industry have declined 56% per year over the last three years,
  • Revenues have also declined 14% per year.
  • This means overall sales from these companies are declining and profits are subsequently falling as well.

Industry Trends

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

US Market0.11%
Telecom-1.41%
Media-1.44%
Broadcasting6.96%
Publishing0.41%
Cable and Satellite-0.38%
Advertising-4.53%
Industry PE
  • Investors are most optimistic about the Broadcasting industry which is trading above its 3-year average PE ratio.
    • Analysts are expecting annual earnings growth of 24.1%, which is higher than its past year's earnings decline of 49.1% per year.
Forecasted Growth
  • Analysts are most optimistic on the Advertising industry, expecting annual earnings growth of 25% over the next 5 years.
  • This is better than its past earnings growth rate of 20% per year.
  • In contrast, the Publishing industry is expected to see its earnings grow by 11% 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
FOXA FoxUS$69.199.1%
+US$2.4b		20.2%PE17.2x
NIQ NIQ Global IntelligenceUS$17.2547.7%
+US$1.6b		-1.3%PS1.2x
PSKY Paramount SkydanceUS$10.2810.9%
+US$1.1b		-23.9%PS0.4x
ECHO EchoStarUS$92.513.8%
+US$976.0m		231.9%PS1.8x
VSNT Versant Media GroupUS$39.236.7%
+US$343.8m		n/aPE7.2x

Latest News

PSKY
US$10.28
Paramount Skydance
7D
10.9%
1Y
-23.9%
NCMI
US$2.73
National CineMedia
7D
-30.9%
1Y
-38.8%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 16

National CineMedia Diversifies Away From Cinema With Transformative Acquisition

Summary National CineMedia announced a $275M acquisition of Captivate, transforming its business model and triggering a 41% stock sell-off. NCMI shifts from a low-leverage, dividend-paying cinema advertiser to a highly leveraged, diversified ad platform with suspended dividends and buybacks. Entering the elevator and lobby advertising space could provide a growth engine for the company. I maintain NCMI as 'Hold,' citing lack of visibility and elevated risk, pending proof of successful integration and free cash flow generation. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
NXST
US$184.80
Nexstar Media Group
7D
-3.6%
1Y
-10.5%
NMAX
US$10.36
Newsmax
7D
18.1%
1Y
-25.6%
APP
US$311.98
AppLovin
7D
-8.0%
1Y
-28.9%
Seeking Alpha • Aug 15

AppLovin: One Of The Most Impressive Businesses I Have Ever Seen

Summary With its Axon 2 AI-powered advertising platform, AppLovin is completely dominating in mobile games and is currently trying to replicate its success in new frontier markets like e-commerce and CTV. Management is confident that a top-line growth between 20% and 30% is sustainable over the long term. Annual revenue growth is expected at around 47% in the third quarter. AppLovin is one of the most profitable companies I am aware of, with a net profit margin above 65% and a free cash flow margin above 50%. The stock is currently trading at a forward 2027 price-to-earnings ratio of ~15x. Using free cash flows, we are talking about a forward 2026 yield of ~4.7%. Putting my money where my mouth is, I purchased my first APP shares on August 12th. My average cost basis currently stands at $306.94. The lower the stock goes, the more I am going to buy. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
EVC
US$8.89
Entravision Communications
7D
-24.0%
1Y
261.4%
LFTO
US$19.53
Liftoff Mobile
7D
-22.8%
1Y
n/a
New Narrative • Aug 13

Mobile Ad Shift And AI Efficiency Will Support Stronger Long Term Earnings Quality

Catalysts About Liftoff Mobile Liftoff Mobile operates an AI driven mobile advertising platform that connects app advertisers with users and helps app publishers monetize their audiences. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
OMC
US$85.46
Omnicom Group
7D
1.0%
1Y
12.2%
Narrative Update • Aug 13

OMC: Integration And Asset Sale Uncertainty Will Pressure Future Returns

Omnicom Group's analyst fair value estimate has been adjusted down by $2 to $77 as analysts factor in reduced revenue growth and profit margin assumptions, a higher discount rate, and updated P/E expectations following recent price target cuts and mixed views on integration and advertising sector recovery. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Omnicom Group shows a split in opinion, with some firms highlighting potential upside while others stress integration and earnings visibility risks.
NIQ
US$17.25
NIQ Global Intelligence
7D
47.7%
1Y
-1.3%
Narrative Update • Aug 12

NIQ: AI Commercialization And Margin Progress Set Up Balanced 2026 Outlook

NIQ Global Intelligence's analyst price target has shifted from about $14.62 to roughly $16.81 as analysts factor in the recent Q2 earnings beat, the guidance raise, expanding profit margin assumptions, and growing AI related contributions across revenue and efficiencies. Analyst Commentary Recent Street commentary around NIQ Global Intelligence points to a reset in expectations after Q1 caution and a stronger tone following the Q2 earnings beat and guidance raise.
IHRT
US$2.96
iHeartMedia
7D
-20.2%
1Y
32.1%
SIRI
US$29.13
Sirius XM Holdings
7D
1.2%
1Y
27.5%
FOXA
US$69.19
Fox
7D
9.1%
1Y
20.2%
Narrative Update • Aug 10

FOXA: Streaming Expansion And Roku Deal Will Support Higher Earnings Power

Fox's updated analyst price target has edged down by about $2 to roughly $72 as analysts factor in a higher discount rate, slightly softer revenue growth assumptions, improved profit margin expectations and a lower future P/E multiple following the planned Roku acquisition. Analyst Commentary Recent research around Fox highlights a clear split in how analysts view the planned Roku acquisition and what it could mean for valuation, growth, and execution risk at Fox.
VSNT
US$39.23
Versant Media Group
7D
6.7%
1Y
n/a
New Narrative • Aug 09

Direct-To-Consumer And Live Sports Exposure Will Support A Stronger Long-Term Outlook

Catalysts About Versant Media Group Versant Media Group is a media company focused on premium live news, sports and entertainment content distributed across linear TV, digital platforms and direct-to-consumer services. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
ECHO
US$92.51
EchoStar
7D
3.8%
1Y
231.9%
Narrative Update • Aug 04

ECHO: SpaceX Stake And Spectrum Monetization Will Drive Future Upside Potential

Analysts have reduced their EchoStar fair value estimate by $5 to $156. This change reflects lower Street price targets in the $115 to $137 range and updated views on subscriber trends, margin expectations, and the higher discount rate applied to the stock.
CHTR
US$144.10
Charter Communications
7D
-6.0%
1Y
-46.0%
LBRD.K
US$33.96
Liberty Broadband
7D
-5.9%
1Y
-44.7%