ERA: U.K. Consumers Upped Spending on Video, Games, Recorded Music 7.1% in 2025

March 4, 2026 - 22:22

New industry data reveals a substantial shift in British leisure habits, with spending on digital entertainment surging past 7% last year. This growth solidifies the sector's commanding position, now accounting for over 13% of all consumer leisure expenditure.

The figures highlight the entrenched role of streaming and gaming in daily life. On average, each person in the UK now watches nearly 18 hours of film and television content per week through subscription and rental services. This sustained engagement with digital platforms is a key driver behind the overall market expansion, which encompasses video, video games, and recorded music.

The increase underscores a continued consumer preference for home-based, on-demand entertainment. The sector's ability to consistently capture a larger portion of household leisure budgets points to its fundamental importance in modern culture. Analysts suggest this trend reflects the high value placed on vast digital libraries and interactive experiences, which remain central to how people relax and connect. The data confirms that digital entertainment is not just a pastime, but a dominant and growing pillar of the UK's leisure economy.