2026 Digital Media Trends: Capturing always-on fandom between releases and seasons

There are audiences, and there are fans. Fans represent a segment of consumers seeking long-term, consistent relationships with the intellectual property, artists, teams, and franchises they love.1 And while the media and entertainment industry is largely optimized around moments—blockbuster movie premieres, live sporting events, video game releases, and TV season launches—fandom isn’t experienced on the same schedule. Fans are willing to move across formats, platforms, and experiences during those big moments and in the “off-season,” in search of a continuity that they can’t experience otherwise. These fans may be signaling that the off-season isn’t a lull; it’s an opportunity.

Global Media Usage Up 0.3% in ’25, Minus Mega Sports Events, Fewer Elections in Top Markets; Growth Surge Expected in ’26 on Olympics, World Cup & Political Spend

Global consumer media usage, including all digital and traditional media channels, rose only 0.3% in 2025 to an average of 57.65 hours per week (HPW), following strong growth of 2.1% in 2024. Decelerating growth in 2025 was due primarily to the lack of major international sporting events and fewer federal elections in the top 20 global markets versus 2024, according to new research released by PQ Media.

WHERE THE MOMENTUM REALLY LIVES – 68.5 MILLION STRONG. BUILT FOR SCALE. BUILT FOR THE FUTURE.

This map isn’t just demographics.

Acculturation getting Fuzzy …..

In U.S. Hispanic segmentation models, the acculturation model is still being widely used without overlaying the Generation Model.  By Begonia Martinez - Project Based: Moderator/Qualitative Researcher:Generation Z and U.S. Hispanic|Brand Consultancy

Doing Business: U.S. vs. Latino (Mexican) Approach

After working in business on both sides for many years, I’ve noticed something important. By Félix J. Medina - Winning the Latino Market

HMC ANNOUNCES 2026 STRATEGIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS SHORTLIST AS PROGRAM MARKS 20-YEAR MILESTONE

The Hispanic Marketing Council (HMC) announced the short list for the 2026 Strategic Excellence Awards Powered by Collage Group, the industry’s only competition honoring strategic excellence in Hispanic and multicultural marketing. Now celebrating its 20th year, the awards recognize breakthrough cultural insights, superior strategic thinking and effectiveness in engaging Latino audiences and driving business growth.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic: How National Pride Unlocks Revenue

The 2026 WBC transcended sports, becoming a vivid showcase of cultural pride across nations, with players elevating national jerseys above club glory and fans fueling a spending surge. Players from powerhouse and underdog nations alike voiced raw passion for representing their flags, often ranking WBC above World Series triumphs.

Slow Growth Impacts Nation’s Largest Counties Hardest

Population growth slowed in a majority of the nation’s 3,143 counties and the District of Columbia between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, according to the Vintage 2025 population estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The United States at 250: How the Country Has Changed in the Past 50 Years

In July, the United States will celebrate its 250th anniversary. The country’s last major milestone was 50 years ago, at its bicentennial on July 4, 1976. U.S. society has changed profoundly since then. Over the past five decades, the U.S. population has aged significantly, with the percentage of people 65 and older nearly doubling. The country has also become more racially and ethnically diverse, as growing shares of people identify as Asian or Hispanic. And following more than 70 million immigrant arrivals, the percentage of foreign-born people in the population has more than tripled.

Entravision Relaunches Politics Con Acento with Expanded TV and Digital Distribution

Entravision, a leading global media, marketing, and technology company, announced the expanded relaunch of Politics con Acento, a digital-first bilingual show and video podcast for the Latino voting community. The show, hosted by Entravision’s established White House Correspondent Stephanie Ochoa, will now also air weekly as a one-hour bilingual TV show across Entravision's 21 Univision affiliates, Altavision, WAPA Orlando 26, digital, and social media platforms.