Entertainment In Depth

Sections on this page
  1. What is the Entertainment Industry?
  2. Entertainment Industry by the Numbers
  3. The Growth of Streaming Services 
  4. Online Gaming's Billion Dollar Industry
  5. In-Person Events & Concerts 
  6. How to Report Entertainment Scams

If you've ever binged an entire series in a day, purchased front row seats to watch your favorite team beat their opponents, or sang your heart out at a music festival, you're one of the millions of people who've made the entertainment industry the powerhouse that it is today.

As technology continues to advance and the internet can be accessed from virtually anywhere at any time, this dynamic industry isn't slowing down any time soon.

What is the Entertainment Industry?

The entertainment industry’s origins can be traced back to the early 1800s, a time when theater was the star of the show and actors traveled from town to town to showcase their craft.

Today, the media and entertainment industry is a $2 trillion sect globally, with the U.S. making up a third of the entire industry. The medium encompasses everything from newspapers to magazines, TV, radio and other popular forms of entertainment such as books, film, music, and social media.

And with the invention of the internet and advances in technology, people have more ways than ever before to interact with their favorite forms of entertainment. 

Entertainment Industry by the Numbers

In 2021, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) released their annual THEME report which included the following stats: 

  • In 2021 the entertainment market (home and mobile) totaled $36.8 billion in the U.S.
  • The 14% year-over-year (YOY) increase from 2020 to 2021 surpassed the record $36.1 billion in 2019
  • Digital entertainment accounted for 80% of all dollars at $29.5 billion
  • Since 2014, digital has nearly doubled from $7.6 billion and has become the fastest growing sector
  • There were 135 streaming providers in the U.S. in 2021
  • Streaming movies grew by 15% in 2021
  • TV shows grew by 5%
  • The pay TV subscription market and cable, generated $49.0 billion in 2021
  • There were 353.2 million total video subscriptions last year which was a 14% YOY
  • Netflix is still the king of the streaming world and featured 9 of the 10 most-streamed original series
  • Disney+ tops the list for the most streamed movies in 2021
  • In the U.S., there were 559 original scripted television shows across multiple platforms (broadcast, pay TV, online)
  • Daily time spent viewing TV (live/recorded) was 3 hours and 16 minutes among adults in the U.S. last year
  • Daily time spent viewing video on other devices (smart TV apps) in 2021 averaged 1 hour and 11 minutes

The Growth of Streaming Services 

With the growth of digital technologies and the internet, content can now be consumed in greater capacities via a variety of platforms. Though traditional TV viewership has declined, streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ have quickly grown to become the most popular ways entertainment is consumed.

The top streaming services by subscribers in 2022:

  • Netflix
  • Disney+
  • Hulu
  • Sling
  • Peacock
  • FuboTV
  • Amazon Prime
  • Apple TV

In total, 250 million Americans are paying for subscriptions of these services, with the average household subscribing to an average of 3.1 streaming services.

What to Know About TV Streaming Services 

With their rise in popularity, it’s no surprise that scammers have found ways to use streaming services to steal login information and other personal data while posing as a streaming service provider. 

Common Tactics Used by Scammers

While these services often do send email correspondence, you should always take precaution before replying or interacting with any messages that seem suspicious.

entertainment scams
Example of a fake text message claiming a free year of Netflix services.

Here are some ways to protect yourself from streaming service scams:

  • Always make sure you’re clicking on the provider’s official website. Scammers can easily mimic a legitimate website in search engine results, but the easiest giveaway to spot will be within the URL itself. Check to make sure the company name is spelled correctly before opening any website.
  • Check the sender’s address in email correspondence. Although the text may say “Hulu” or “Netflix,” if the domain name is something like “@netflix_123.com,” it’s likely a fraudulent account.
  • Consider what is being requested within the email, phone, or text. Streaming services will never ask you via email, phone, or text to provide personal or financially sensitive information. 
  • Look for spelling and grammatical errors within the email, text message, or webpage. These are all signs of a scam. 
  • Check the logo and design for any inconsistencies with branding, such as strange colors that don’t match the brand’s aesthetic, or a blurry logo, or it is likely a scam website or message. 

Online Gaming's Billion Dollar Industry

Globally, the online gaming industry is expected grow from $73.42 billion in 2021 to $81.08 billion this year. This is likely due to the easy accessibility of the internet and the adoption of smartphones, with mobile users accounting for about 80% of all users in the online gambling industry. 

It’s projected that there will be more than 150 million monthly mobile gamers in the U.S. this year, with mobile gaming being particularly popular among younger individuals including children and teens.

According to Sensor Tower’s December 2021 data, annual mobile game app store revenues increased to $37.3 billion and $52.3 billion on Android and iOS, respectively. With the internet at our fingertips daily, it’s important to understand the dangers of online gaming in order to protect children and younger adults.

Staying Safe While Online Gaming 

There are a few things you can do to help keep your children and teens safe online. This includes:

  • Educate children and teens on how to play their games safely (e.g., refraining from sharing any personal information with other players, understanding that not all online players are who they say they are)
  • Enable restrictions and parental controls on your phone and game and on your device
  • Report inappropriate content and players

It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on your credit card statements since children can sometimes mistakenly make purchases online or can be tricked by scammers trying to get money from them.

In-Person Events & Concerts 

Another major contributor to the entertainment industry are events which includes music concerts, festivals, sports, exhibitions, conferences, and corporate events and seminars. In the U.S., the events industry made $255.31 billion in 2021.

Though the ongoing global pandemic, which began in the U.S. in 2020, halted large gatherings and disrupted the music industry, concerts and events have come back stronger than ever.

As patrons return to music venues, large-scale conferences, and shell out the big bucks to see their favorite sports teams, it’s important to be aware of the scams that are out there surrounding ticket purchases.

Buying tickets via sites like Craigslist and Facebook may be helpful in securing a cheap ticket, but it also leaves you vulnerable to buying a fake ticket that will leave you empty handed.

How to Safely Purchase Concert & Events Tickets 

Fake ticket scams have been around for years, but scammers are getting more and more advanced when it comes to tricking potential victims.

Though it can be hard to tell whether online tickets are legitimate or fake before you buy them, there are a few telltale signs to be on the lookout for when shopping around.

Red flags of fake tickets include:

  • Typos and grammatical errors in the listing or on the actual ticket
  • Requests to pay by bank transfer
  • Requests to pay by gift card
  • Tickets being available on third-party sites for sold-out events
  • Prices are higher than the face value of actual tickets
  • Pushy sellers rushing you to make a purchase
  • Sellers refusing to show you the actual ticket
  • Websites without a customer service number or physical address

entertainment scams
Fake tickets can look very convincing and almost real, so it's important to do your research before buying them. (Source: CBS Boston)

There are also few ways to add an extra layer of protection when purchasing tickets. This includes: 

  • Only purchasing tickets only from trusted vendors
  • Only using on secure websites (they should start with “https://”)
  • Using a credit card that offers fraud protection when buying tickets
  • Inspecting the ticket before you buy it (if possible)

How to Report Entertainment Scams

If you believe you’re the victim of an entertainment scam, you have some options. The best thing to do is report the incident to a few different parties. To do so, you can report it to:

You may also want to alert your credit card company in case they have fraud protections in place. Let them know what happened and have any evidence of the transaction available for their records. They may be able to get you your money back.

Scams Relating to Entertainment

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Netflix Text Message Saying Your Payment is Declined is Fake
10 February 2023 |

Netflix Text Message Saying Your Payment is Declined is Fake

Scammers are sending text messages claiming to be from Netflix and saying your subscription has been put on hold. Here's how to tell the texts are fake and what to do about it.

Free Netflix for a Year: Don't Believe the Hype, It's a Scam
29 August 2022 |

Free Netflix for a Year: Don't Believe the Hype, It's a Scam

Netflix has never offered a free subscription for an entire year. If you receive this offer from "Netflix," it's a scam.

Dangerous Netflix Scam Emails: How to Identify & Beat These 'Netflix Suspension' Scams
3 August 2021 |

Dangerous Netflix Scam Emails: How to Identify & Beat These 'Netflix Suspension' Scams

That Netflix email may seem genuine, but be sure to look for any red flags of a scam so you don't fall victim to identity theft.

Scams in Other Categories...
Citibank Text Message Scam: Locked Debit Card Alert Is Fake
10 February 2023 |

Citibank Text Message Scam: Locked Debit Card Alert Is Fake

If you've received a locked debit card text message from Citibank, it's likely a scam. Don't click on the link and delete the text message.

Real Chase Fraud Text Alert or Scam Message?
10 February 2023 |

Real Chase Fraud Text Alert or Scam Message?

If you receive a text message from Chase Bank, don't click on any links or call the phone number listed—it could be a scam designed to steal your information and money.

Amex Fraud Text Alert Scams: Spotting a Fraud
10 February 2023 |

Amex Fraud Text Alert Scams: Spotting a Fraud

If you receive a text message from American Express, don't click on any links or call the phone number listed—it could be a scam designed to steal your information and money.

Citizens Bank Text: Scam or Real Message?
10 February 2023 |

Citizens Bank Text: Scam or Real Message?

If you received a text message from Citizens Bank asking for personal information such as your password or login credentials, it may be from a scammer trying to steal your money.

Wells Fargo Text Alert - Is It A Scam?

Wells Fargo Text Alert - Is It A Scam?

Dangerous text message scams are targeting Wells Fargo customers. These text message alerts for Zelle transactions or purchases with retailers are scams.

Capital One Fraud Text Alert Scams: Spotting a Fraud
10 February 2023 |

Capital One Fraud Text Alert Scams: Spotting a Fraud

If you received a suspicious Capital One fraud text alert, it may be a scam. Learn how to spot the fake to protect your identity and funds.

PayPal Text Scam: Identify a Fake & Protect Your Money
10 February 2023 |

PayPal Text Scam: Identify a Fake & Protect Your Money

Several versions of fake PayPal text messages are being sent to people worldwide. There are a few easy ways to tell which messages are scams and simple things you can do to protect yourself.

Guides Relating to Entertainment

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Cost of Streaming Services in 2022 (And How It's Changed Over the Years)
18 March 2022 |

Cost of Streaming Services in 2022 (And How It's Changed Over the Years)

With the recent Netflix price hike on all of its plans, what can we expect for the other streaming services this year? We take a look at how the cost of streaming services has changed over the years.

How to Beat Netflix Scams and Binge Watch in Safety
8 May 2021 |

How to Beat Netflix Scams and Binge Watch in Safety

With more than 200 millions subscribers worldwide, it's no wonder scammers target Netflix customers, attempting to hack accounts and steal information.

Guides in Other Categories...
7 Ways to Spot a Fake Online Store
31 May 2023 |

7 Ways to Spot a Fake Online Store

Online shopping is undeniably convenient, but lurking amidst the vast digital marketplace are fake online stores ready to pounce on unsuspecting shoppers.

Tips and Strategies to Protect Yourself from Stock Investment Scams
26 May 2023 |

Tips and Strategies to Protect Yourself from Stock Investment Scams

Imagine waking up one morning, coffee in hand, only to find your hard-earned savings vanished into thin air. Shocking, isn't it? Welcome to the sinister world of stock investment scams.

11 Easy Ways to Stay Anonymous Online
27 April 2023

11 Easy Ways to Stay Anonymous Online

Learn how to search online without sharing your personal information with potential hackers and scammers.

News Relating to Entertainment

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News in Other Categories...
Urgent CDC Warning: Eye Drops Linked to 3 Deaths, Loss of Vision
22 March 2023 |

Urgent CDC Warning: Eye Drops Linked to 3 Deaths, Loss of Vision

The CDC is warning eye drops users of a rare bacterial infection from 2 brands of eye drops. The infection is resistant to antibiotics and has resulted in the loss of vision, loss of eyeballs and the death of 3 patients.

Banks May Refund More Zelle Scam Victims in 2023

Banks May Refund More Zelle Scam Victims in 2023

Zelle scams have reached a serious volume. New reports suggest that banks are looking at new refund protections for customers in 2023.

Optus Data Breach - One of the Worst Cyberattacks in Australia
10 October 2022 |

Optus Data Breach - One of the Worst Cyberattacks in Australia

Hackers have gained access to 9.8 million customer records from Optus in Australia, exposing personal information such as driver licence, medicare and passport details.

Roe vs. Wade Overturned: Abortion Rights in Your State

Roe vs. Wade Overturned: Abortion Rights in Your State

Find out what the overturning of Roe vs. Wade means for abortion rights in your state.

Searches for "COVID Vaccine 5G" Hit All-Time High, But Microchips Definitely Not in Vaccine
2 February 2022 |

Searches for "COVID Vaccine 5G" Hit All-Time High, But Microchips Definitely Not in Vaccine

The number of people searching for the term "COVID vaccine 5G" on Google has just hit an all-time high, but there's one way to be sure that there are no microchips.