The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will unveil the Statistical Handbook on Media and Entertainment Sector 2024-25 at the ongoing WAVES 2025 summit in Mumbai on Saturday. The release underscores the government’s strong emphasis on ensuring timely, reliable, and comprehensive data to support the country’s booming media and entertainment sector, which is recognised as a critical component of India’s services economy.

As per a PIB press release, the move is part of a broader affirmation by the government to back its policies with accurate data inputs to achieve maximum impact. The M&E ecosystem, classified as a sunrise sector, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7 percent and reach INR 3,067 billion by 2027. The handbook aims to provide updated information and statistics across various segments of the industry, enabling policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers to make informed decisions.

The upcoming publication reveals significant data growth across the M&E spectrum over the decades. For instance, the number of registered print publications in India has grown from just 5,932 in 1957 to 154,523 in 2024-25, with a CAGR of 4.99 percent. Meanwhile, All India Radio’s reach has expanded to cover 98 percent of the population, and the number of its stations has grown from 198 in 2000 to 591 in 2025. Doordarshan’s Free Dish channels have also increased notably—from 33 channels in 2004 to 381 in 2025.

The handbook also highlights that India is on track to achieve 100 percent geographical coverage via DTH services by March 2025. Additionally, private satellite TV channels have multiplied significantly—from 130 in 2004-05 to 908 in 2024-25. Similarly, the private FM radio space has expanded from just 4 stations in 2001 to 388 as of 2024. The number of Community Radio Stations has surged from 15 in 2005 to 531 in 2025, with state- and district-wise data also included.

In the realm of cinema, Indian feature film certifications have increased from 741 in 1983 to 3,455 in 2024-25, contributing to a cumulative total of 69,113 films by 2025. The Publications Division of the Ministry has brought out 130 books during the 2024–2025 period, covering themes such as children’s literature, freedom struggles, and science.

Beyond statistics, the handbook also compiles qualitative data such as information on awards, key film festivals, and documentaries produced by NFDC. It offers insights into the digital media and creator economy, including initiatives like the WAVES OTT Platform, the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), and the Create in India Challenge (CIC). Milestones from across the broadcasting spectrum—Doordarshan, Akashvani, PRGI, and private broadcasters—are documented alongside efforts in skilling and ease-of-doing-business reforms.

The handbook’s release at WAVES 2025, a landmark summit for India’s audiovisual and entertainment sectors, comes at a time when more than 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300 companies, and over 350 startups are participating in conversations shaping the future of the M&E industry. The four-day event, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, runs from May 1 to May 4 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.