The World’s Top Media Companies (2024)

The media industry covers areas like advertising, broadcasting and networking, news, print and publication, digital, recording, and motion pictures and each has its associated infrastructure.

Media companies offer products and services to individuals and large organizations. This list of the top media companies provides a look into their businesses and operations. It is ranked in descending order of market capitalization as of June 2024.

Key Takeaways

  • Media includes advertising, broadcasting, news, print publications, digital media, and motion pictures.
  • The largest media companies include Apple, Disney, and Comcast.
  • Apple entered the media industry later than most of its competitors but leads in market capitalization.

1. Apple (AAPL): $3.22 Trillion

Founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, Apple (AAPL) has a market cap of $3.22 trillion in 2024, surpassing its competitors. After adding streaming and news media services to its portfolio, the company shifted from a tech company to a hybrid of tech and media.

Apple is known for its scope of acquisitions. In 2014, the company acquired Beats, formerly known as Beats by Dre, and in 2018, it acquired the song identification app Shazam.In 2023, Apple purchased 32 Artificial Intelligence (AI) startups, including Canada-based DarwinAI.

Its media services include offerings like Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Books, and Apple News. As one of the largest companies worldwide, Apple recorded net sales of $383.3 billion for the 2023 fiscal year.

2. Netflix (NFLX): $290.80 Billion

With 260 million subscribers globally as of 2023, Netflix (NFLX) is a leader in the media scene. Founded in 1997, the company transformed from a DVD-by-mail business into a streaming giant.

The majority of Netflix’s revenues come from subscription fees from streaming customers, which generated $33.64 billion in streaming revenue in 2023. The company generated $82.8 million in revenue from its DVD rental business and then ended this segment in 2024.

3. Walt Disney (DIS): $181 Billion

Disney (DIS) has a $181 billion market cap, generating almost $88.90 billion in revenues over the 2023 fiscal year. Disney was founded in 1923 and headquartered in Burbank, California with multiple subsidiaries and an international presence.The company's segments include media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products, and interactive media.

In 2019, Disney launched Disney+, a streaming service that offers shows and movies, including vintage Disney content, originals, exclusive shows, and blockbuster films.As of 2023, Disney's Disney+ subscribers reached 150.2 million worldwide, Hulu subscribers topped 48.5 million, and ESPN+ hit 46 million.

4. Comcast (CMCSA): $153.64 Billion

Established in 1963 with headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Comcast (CMCSA) is one of the largest global media, entertainment, and communications companies with a $153.64 billion market cap. In the 2023 fiscal year, it generated over $121.5 million in revenues.

Comcast operates through five business segments that include cable communications, media, studio production, Universal theme parks, and its European media service provider, Sky.Xfinity is the American business segment that provides cable television, internet, telephone, and wireless services.

After a bidding war with Fox, Comcast purchased U.K.-based Sky for $39 billion in 2018.

5. AT&T (T): $137.02 Billion

AT&T (T) operates through a communications segment that provides wireless and broadband services to consumers in the U.S. and the Latin America segment that enables wireless services and equipment in Mexico. In 2015,it acquired DirecTV and added to its U.S. and Latin American media operations. DirecTV is a digital TV entertainment service provider via a satellite network.

The company is a leader in connectivity services through 5G and fiber. In FY 2023, AT&T reported revenues of $122.4 billion.

6. Sony (SONY): $103.66 Billion

Sony (SONY) is primarily known as an electronics and music giant, but it also has other media properties. Its key segments include game and network services, music, pictures, and electronics products and solutions. The pictures segment includes motion pictures, television productions, and media networks. In 2023, Sony generated $10.97 billion in revenue.

7. Thomson Reuters (TRI): $75.80 Billion

Thomson Reuters (TRI), the Canada-based media company, has five segments: legal professionals, corporates, tax and accounting professionals, Reuters news, and global print. The Reuters news business offers financial news via media organizations. Thomson Reuters competes with the likes of Bloomberg L.P.

For 2023, Thomson Reuters reported annual revenues of $6.8 billion, a 3% increase from 2022. Where legal professionals contributed the bulk of revenues at $2.8 billion, Reuters News brought in a healthy $0.8 billion.

8. Charter Communications (CHTR): $43.05 Billion

Charter Communications(CHTR) acquired Time Warner Cable in 2015 for $78.7 billion, giving it a significant media presence.Time Warner Cable Inc. included a wide portfolio of products and services. It added video, high-speed data, and voice services in the U.S. to Charter Communications’ operations.

The company operates under the Spectrum name, boasting 32 million customers.In 2023, Charter Communications reported revenues of $54.60 billion, a 1.1% increase from the prior year.

9. Fox (FOX): $15.48 Billion

Fox (FOX) was previously a powerhouse in the media business. Its $15.48 billion market cap is now a fraction of what it used to be. In 2017, it sold its entertainment business to Disney for $71.3 billion.

The company's offerings include the Fox News Channel, Fox Business, Big Ten Networks, and Fox Broadcasting Co., as well as other select assets.In the 2023 fiscal year, Fox recognized revenues of $14.9 billion, a 7% increase from the prior year.

10. Paramount Global (PARA): $7.24 Billion

In 2019, Viacom and CBS merged to form ViacomCBS, and in February 2022, its name changed to Paramount Global (PARA). In 2023, the company operated three segments—TV Entertainment, Cable Networks, and Filmed Entertainment—and reported revenues of $29.65 billion.

Paramount Global's offerings include the subscription streaming service, Paramount+, Pluto TV, Paramount Pictures, broadcast network CBS, and a portfolio of cable networks that includes Nickelodeon, MTV, and BET.

How Does Artificial Intelligence Affect Media Companies?

AI technology enables systems to derive information from digital images, videos, and other visual inputs.According to a report by Goldman Sachs in 2024, tech firms, corporations, and utilities will spend around $1 trillion on capital expenditures to support AI.

Who Regulates U.S. Media Companies?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates interstate and international communications through cable, radio, television, satellite and wire.

How Do Media Companies Make Money?

Media companies primarily make money from advertisements and paid subscriptions. Other revenue drivers include internet services, filmed entertainment, and licensing.

The Bottom Line

Many companies in the “media” category also operate businesses that may not necessarily qualify as media, such as software solutions and lobbying services. Investors who add media companies to their portfolio should carefully study the companies' different business segments, operational areas, business domains, and corporate structures to ensure that the desired companies fit into their investment profile.

The World’s Top Media Companies (2024)

FAQs

The World’s Top Media Companies? ›

Examples by country. In the 2024 Forbes Global 2000 list, Comcast is the United States' largest media conglomerate, in terms of revenue, with The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, & Paramount Global completing the top four.

What are the top 5 media companies? ›

  1. Comcast. Comcast is a sprawling media and telecommunications business. ...
  2. 2. Walt Disney. Walt Disney is home to some of the best-known characters and brands around the world. ...
  3. AT&T. ...
  4. Paramount Global. ...
  5. Sony. ...
  6. Fox.

Who are the Big 5 in media? ›

Major Television Studios
  • Warner Bros. Television Studios.
  • Disney Television Studios.
  • Paramount Television Studios.
  • Universal Television.
  • Columbia Television Studios.

Who are the big 4 media firms? ›

Examples by country. In the 2024 Forbes Global 2000 list, Comcast is the United States' largest media conglomerate, in terms of revenue, with The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, & Paramount Global completing the top four.

Which is the best media company in the world? ›

Top 100 media companies
#NameIndustry
1Walt DisneyAmusement & Theme Parks
2Charter CommunicationsInformation & Communication
3Paramount GlobalTV Programming & Broadcasting Activities
4NetflixMotion Picture, Video & TV Program Production Activities
63 more rows

Who are the Big Six media? ›

These top six companies control 90% of the media in the United States. Just 37 years ago, there were 50 companies in charge of most American media. Now, 90% of the media in the United States is controlled by just six corporations: AT&T, CBS, Comcast, Disney, Newscorp and Viacom.

What is the world's largest media group? ›

Here is our list for the 17 largest media companies in the World in 2023.
  • The Interpublic Group Of Companies, Inc. ( NYSE:IPG)
  • Fox Corporation (NASDAQ:FOX)
  • Omnicom Group Inc. ( NYSE:OMC)
  • Publicis Group.
  • DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH)
  • WPP plc (NYSE:WPP)
  • Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA)
  • Netflix, Inc. ( NASDAQ:NFLX)
Oct 29, 2023

Who owns most media companies? ›

As of 2022, the largest media conglomerates in terms of revenue are Comcast NBCUniversal, The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount Global.

What is the largest entertainment company in the world? ›

Walt Disney Company: The Walt Disney Company is the largest entertainment company in the world, with a market capitalization of over $280 billion. It is a diversified company with a wide range of businesses, including film production, television broadcasting, theme parks, and cruise lines.

What is the largest media agency? ›

The Big Six is the name colloquially given to the six largest advertising and public relations agencies in the world by revenue: Publicis, WPP, Omnicom, IPG, Dentsu, and Havas.

What are the top five media agencies? ›

Overall, all six media holding companies managed to increase their revenue in 2023 compared to 2022.
  • WPP. Founded: 1971 (entered advertising in 1985) HQ: London, UK. ...
  • Omnicom. Founded: 1986. HQ: New York City, USA. ...
  • Publicis Groupe. Founded: 1926. ...
  • Havas. Founded: 1835. ...
  • Interpublic. Founded: 1930. ...
  • Dentsu. Founded: 1901.
May 15, 2024

What are the three types of media companies? ›

A: Media companies can be classified into several types based on the medium they use to deliver content. These include print media companies (newspapers, magazines), broadcasting companies (TV, radio), digital media companies (websites, social media platforms), and film companies.

What is the wealthiest media company? ›

Each of the top 10 media companies enjoys market caps above $15 billion.
  1. Apple (AAPL): $3.22 Trillion. ...
  2. Netflix (NFLX): $290.80 Billion. ...
  3. 3. Walt Disney (DIS): $181 Billion. ...
  4. Comcast (CMCSA): $153.64 Billion. ...
  5. AT&T (T): $137.02 Billion. ...
  6. Sony (SONY): $103.66 Billion. ...
  7. Thomson Reuters (TRI): $75.80 Billion.
Jul 8, 2024

Which is the most powerful media in the world? ›

World's 15 most powerful news outlets
  • TIME. ...
  • Reuters. ...
  • BBC. ...
  • The Washington Post. Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States. ...
  • People's Daily. Headquarters: Beijing, China. ...
  • RT. Headquarters: Moscow, Russia. ...
  • Fox News. Headquarters: New York City, New York. ...
  • Associated Press. Headquarters: New York City, New York.
Nov 28, 2019

What is the most valuable media brand in the world? ›

In 2024, Google ranked as the most valuable media and entertainment brand worldwide, with a brand value of 683 billion U.S. dollars. Facebook ranked second, valued at around 167 billion dollars.

What are the fastest growing media brands? ›

In 2022, TikTok – a video-sharing platform – was the fastest growing media brand worldwide, with a brand value growth rate of 215 percent. Snapchat – a messaging app – ranked second, with a brand value growth rate of 184 percent.

Who owns the largest media company? ›

As of 2022, the largest media conglomerates in terms of revenue are Comcast NBCUniversal, The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount Global.

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