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At-home entertainment

A growing expectation for screens, subscriptions and shared moments

At-home entertainment has transformed from a fallback to a first choice. With better content, technology and community, insperiences (at-home experiences) now compete directly with traditional out-of-home options.

At-home entertainment is no longer just about comfort – it’s about choice, control and quality. What began as a lockdown necessity during Covid-19 has evolved into a fast-growing sector, powered by strategic innovation from content creators, platforms and publishers.

Consumer demand for flexibility and affordability has pushed the entertainment industry to adapt, rethinking how content is delivered, accessed, and paid for. Straight-to-streaming film releases, exclusive content drops, global sporting events on new platforms, and interactive experiences have all made the living room a legitimate entertainment destination.

From Netflix’s global launch strategy to live sport on Amazon Prime and Apple TV+, release formats and licensing deals are being optimised for the home viewer. In parallel, the social element of viewing – from live tweeting to group watching – has given rise to a new kind of ‘event television’, even when the event happens on demand.

Screens, subscriptions and shared moments

Consumers are investing more in digital content and personalised home experiences, especially when they feel social.

  • 44% pay more for entertainment subscriptions than they did 10 years ago
  • 25% prioritise streaming services and subscriptions more than a decade ago
  • Spend per customer on digital content & subscriptions has increased 47.5% since January 2020.

What this means for brands

The living room is now a competitive stage. To succeed, brands must create content and formats that hold attention and feel premium.

  1. Focus on flexibility – offer viewers control, choice and convenience
  2. Invest in immersion – quality visuals, sound and storytelling are key
  3. Tap into communities – create content that sparks discussion and drives social engagement.

While insperiences came of age during the pandemic, they have continued to go from strength-to-strength. From live sports to binge drops, staying in can now offer just as much excitement as a night out.

Phil Richardson

Industry Director, Hospitality & Leisure, Barclays Corporate Banking

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