Subscriber Strength: Digital Publishers See Immense Subscription Growth, Hope

A new subscription report says that since 2020, digital publishing has seen a 536% increase in subscribers, with digital media and entertainment having a 124% increase of its own.

“We’re witnessing an era of intense innovation in the digital media and entertainment subscription industry, with momentum only continuing to accelerate,” says Joe Rohrlich, CEO of Recurly, which tracked the growth in its “State of Subscriptions: Media & Entertainment” report. “Whether it’s watching the latest show, reading a book or catching up on the news, consumers are hungry for tailored experiences and flexible options that cater to their unique tastes. This shift is driving the industry to rethink traditional models, leaning heavily into data-driven customization and user engagement strategies to meet the ever-evolving demands of a digital-first audience.”

The report says businesses are working harder on retention and engagement, “minimizing churn to drive revenue and profit growth as acquisition costs rise.” While the industry median churn rate is 4.1%, publishing is slightly lower at 3.9%.

“Digital publishing subscriptions’ 536% growth brings hope for the media industry,” the report says, “demonstrating the success of sophisticated subscription models that prioritize subscriber experience and value for the digital news consumer.”