eMarketer: Mobile content revenues to top $3.5 billion in 2014

Mobile content revenues in the U.S. will increase from less than $1.15 billion in 2009 to over $3.53 billion in 2014, a compound annual growth rate of nearly 20 percent, according to a new forecast issued by digital intelligence firm eMarketer. Citing ongoing penetration of smart devices (including tablet units like Apple's iPad) and the increasing ubiquity of mobile broadband networks as catalysts behind the anticipated revenue growth, eMarketer adds that an improved user experience and access to cloud-based content also will attract new mobile content consumers in the years ahead.

Mobile music--which generated revenues of $82.0 million in 2009--is expected to experience the fastest growth over the next five years, reaching $676.5 million in 2014 as mobile broadband-enabled consumers pay to access full-length songs from the cloud. Mobile games (responsible for 2009 revenues of $627.7 million) will rely on premium downloads and advertising as the pre-installation model fades, yielding revenues of $1.51 billion in 2014--eMarketer adds that the mobile video audience will grow threefold during the forecast period, buoyed by improved devices, expanded mobile broadband availability and offdeck viewing options, with revenues surging from $436 million in 2009 to $1.34 billion in 2014.

"Platform integration is vital for the growth of mobile content," said eMarketer senior analyst Noah Elkin in a prepared statement. "The decade ahead heralds a wholesale shift in the content consumption experience. Consumers will expect games, music and video to be available on demand or via subscription on TVs, mobile and PC. The content owners that will thrive in this digital ecosystem are the ones that understand the need to deliver seamlessly across every possible platform."

For more on the mobile content revenues forecast:
- read this eMarketer article

Related articles:
Forecast: 50 billion mobile app downloads in 2012
MEF forecasts 24 percent mobile media market growth in 2010