FINDING THE NORMAL IN ABNORMAL

THE year 2022 proved to be a rollercoaster for the Rs 1.6 trillion Indian media and entertainment industry. Television and digital occupy the top two benches of the sector and witness an intense infighting between themselves.

The year opened with the scare of a third wave of Covid-19 hitting the nation, albeit it was later experienced that the wave was bigger in terms of number of cases reported per day but thankfully was less severe in terms of its overall health impact. All thanks to the mammoth vaccination drive undertaken by our nation and government.

Theatres and cinema halls finally had a sign of relief with the majority of restrictions being lifted but this happiness was curtailed by the lacklustre performance of major Bollywood films. Only five films could cross the Rs 100 crore-mark in gross box office collection with only two coming out as real commercial blockbusters. It's upon 2023 now to show us the way for the future of cinema halls.

TV Remained Strong

Television, being the most dependable medium, remained strong despite several headwinds. The year opened on a slow note due to the scare of a third Covid wave but picked up quickly defying expectations. Come June and July 2022, and again there was some softness in television advertising due to the global war situation and underlying recession. This was instantly made up by the festive months of August, September and October.