Money Buzz! Europa

Tag: entertainment

  • CEE: Restaurants and entertainment spaces impacted by new restrictions

    CEE: Restaurants and entertainment spaces impacted by new restrictions

    New measures have been recently adopted by the governments of the Central and Eastern European countries to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.

    Wearing masks became mandatory in the crowded outdoor spaces in most countries, while gatherings allow a limited number of people, schools are functioning online only or in a hybrid model, and restaurants are allowed to trade at limited capacity.

    Czechia

    In Czech Republic, the Government ordered all non-essential shops to close and tightened other social distancing rules starting 22 October. In the past two weeks, the country registered the highest number of COVID-19 new infections since the beginning of the pandemic, and the highest in the CEE.

    In addition, restaurants in Czech malls operate only for take away orders and deliveries.

    The Government communicated its support for all affected retailers and provides a subsidy of 50% of the rent and related charges, with no subsidy requested from landlords.

    In addition, the government covers 100% of payroll costs for companies affected by the restrictions.

    Romania

    In Romania, restrictions relate to temporary closing entertainment spaces in the cities/regions where the number of infections has exceeded 3 cases/1.000 inhabitants, while indoor restaurants in such regions can only operate for take away orders and deliveries.

    This is the case in three of the Romanian biggest cities, capital Bucharest, Timisoara and Cluj-Napoca.

    Poland

    In Poland, temporary restrictions have been implemented for fitness clubs and swimming pools. In addition, from 24 October onwards, indoor restaurants will operate only for take away orders and deliveries.

    Slovakia

    In Slovakia, indoor restaurants only operate for take away orders and deliveries, while entertainment tenants temporarily suspended their activities.

    Bulgaria

    Bulgaria is introducing more restrictions as coronavirus infections remained high. In the capital Sofia, bars, clubs and discos will close for two weeks.

    The order for the temporary closure will become effective on October 25 and will be in place until November 8. 

  • Romanian media and entertainment industry growth will slow down in 2020

    Romanian media and entertainment industry growth will slow down in 2020

    The growth rate of the media and entertainment industry in Romania will reduce to 0.26% this year, from over 8% in 2019, due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The market value to reach EUR 2,613 billion, according to the 21st edition of the PwC Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2020 – 2024 (GEMO). Estimates show a return to growth in 2021 and an annual average growth rate of 6.76% by 2024.

    Romania is the least affected by the COVID-19 crisis among the Central and Eastern European markets included in the report and the only one that will increase in 2020.

    It is estimated that the other countries in the region will report decreases in 2020 from to the previous year: Hungary 7%, Poland 5% and the Czech Republic 5%.

    Performance by segments. Winners vs losers

    With most people at home, the OTT services market (e.g. Netflix or HBO Go) in Romania will have the highest year-on-year growth on the media and entertainment market, of 32% to EUR 29 million.

    It will also continue to grow in the coming years, with an annual average growth rate of 16.5%, and is expected to reach EUR 48 million by 2024.

    The second highest growth in the market is estimated for the segment of video games and e-sports (electronic sports), of 19% to EUR 136 million this year and rising to EUR 195 million in 2024.

    Internet acces spending at over EUR 1,2 bln

    Internet access spending continues to be the largest sector of the industry, with 47% of the market and a value of EUR 1.23 billion, following a 9.7% year-on-year increase.

    By 2024, it will reach EUR 1.89 billion, with an average annual increase of 11%.

    Over 7% increase for internet ads

    The next largest increase is estimated for internet advertising, of 7.4%, with a segment value of EUR 107 million. It will continue to grow by an average of 9% to EUR 153 million by 2024.

    With the market very responsive to consumer behaviour changes, mobile internet advertising is growing particularly strongly as smartphones become the main device of media consumption.

    Book sales, up 5%

    The restrictions caused by the pandemic also had a positive effect on book sales, which are estimated to have increased by 5.1% to EUR 69 million in 2020.

    The PwC report estimates an average annual growth rate of 2.42% by 2024.

    The film industry will report the largest decrease

    With cinemas closed and ticket revenues lost, the film industry will report the largest decrease, of 58% to EUR 26 million. By 2024, however, the sector is predicted to return to EUR 58 million, which will still be below the 2019 level of EUR 62 million.

    The outdoor advertising market has also contracted due to the pandemic, by 25% to EUR 25 million this year, but the prospects for 2024 show a recovery to EUR 43 million.

    The B2B media sector, which includes business information, directory advertising, trade magazines, professional books and trade shows, will post a decrease of 13.7% to EUR 194 million, but it will recover in the coming years at an average growth rate of 3.27% per year.

    Printed newspapers and magazines: -13%

    The pre-crisis decline in Romania’s printed newspapers and magazines sector has deepened during the pandemic, by 13% to EUR 62 million this year.

    It will remain at a similar level until 2024, when the market value is estimated to be EUR 61 million.

    Both the television and the video content consumed at home will have slight decreases this year estimated at 6%, with revenues falling to EUR 465 million. This is the second largest segment in Romania in terms of revenue generated, after internet access.

    In this context, TV advertising revenues are also expected to decrease by 7%, to EUR 295 million, but then increase from next year, reaching EUR 388 million by 2024.

    After growing last year, the radio, music and podcast segment is expected to fall by 9% this year to EUR 27 million, but it will return to growth and reach EUR 38 million in four years.