Digital
Leading with purpose creates wins for consumers, community and country: Hina Nagarajan of Diageo India
India’s I&B sector draws ₹5,408 cr FDI in 2024, Radio rebounds strongly
The resurgence in 2024 was led by the radio broadcasting segment, which saw a sharp increase in FDI to ₹3,853 crore—its highest since 2016, when the segment had drawn ₹8,157 crore.
While the absolute inflow figures remain robust, the I&B and Print Media sector’s share in total FDI equity inflows across all sectors in India has declined.
India’s Information & Broadcasting (I&B) and Print Media sector attracted ₹5,408 crore in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflows in 2024, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Statistical Handbook on Media & Entertainment Sector 2024-25 data released by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
This marks a decline from the ₹7,211 crore recorded in 2023 but remains significantly above the pandemic-era lows of 2020 and 2021, signalling renewed global interest in India’s media and entertainment landscape.
The resurgence in 2024 was led by the radio broadcasting segment, which saw a sharp increase in FDI to ₹3,853 crore—its highest since 2016, when the segment had drawn ₹8,157 crore. The film and advertisement segment continued to be a strong contributor, attracting ₹1,555 crore in 2024. In contrast, electronic media and print media saw no reported inflows for the second consecutive year.
While the absolute inflow figures remain robust, the I&B and Print Media sector’s share in total FDI equity inflows across all sectors in India has declined. In 2024, the sector accounted for 1.22% of the overall ₹4,48,831 crore in FDI inflows. This is a drop from 2.11% in 2023, when the sector drew ₹7,211 crore against an overall FDI of ₹3,41,391 crore.
Historically, the sector's peak contribution came in 2016, when it accounted for 3.69% of all FDI equity inflows, buoyed by significant investments in both radio and film.
Over the last decade, the I&B sector has experienced a rollercoaster of investment trends:
1) 2016 remains the sector’s most successful year, with ₹11,501 crore in total inflows.
2) After a steep decline in 2021 to just ₹1,773 crore—largely due to pandemic-induced disruptions—FDI rebounded gradually.
3) 2023 marked a high point post-pandemic, led by a ₹6,248 crore infusion into the film and advertisement segment.
Experts cite that with digital consumption exploding across platforms and languages, future FDI is expected to tilt heavily toward content IP, regional storytelling, and media-tech integrations. For media houses, aligning with these trends—especially through co-productions, strategic partnerships, and FDI-compliant digital properties will drive the next wave of FDI in the country.
SPOTLIGHT
At the Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw spotlighted the critical role of traditional media in an evolving digital landscape. He emphasized that such gatherings can aid the govt in formulating more effective policies for a balanced and sustainable media ecosystem.
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