Notes on the method
This report presents updated data on the structure and entry/exit rates of companies in the audiovisual sector, compiled from the main official statistical sources, including Istat and the Chamber of Commerce Registers. The analysis is based on the 2007 four-digit ATECO codes, which identify the following classes:
- 59.11 Theatrical, video & TV production activities;
- 59.12 Theatrical, video & TV post-production activities;
- 59.13 Theatrical, video & TV distribution activities;
- 59.14 Exhibition activities;
- 60.20 TV programming & broadcasting activities.
Istat data, derived from the Statistical Archive of Active Companies (ASIA), presents a positive trend for the sector. In 2022, the audiovisual sector comprised 8,601 companies, representing a 4.8% increase from the previous year. The number of employees has also increased by 3.2%, reaching almost 53,000 units.
Growth was mainly driven by the theatrical, video & TV production sector (+5.3%), most likely boosted by rising demand for original content and the expansion of streaming platforms. Even more significant was the increase in post-production (+10.7%), driven by technological innovation, investments in special effects, and the strengthening of advanced editing activities. The exhibition sector is stable (+0.2%), while distribution recorded a slight decline (-1.3%). The decline in TV programming & broadcasting was more pronounced (-3.8%), most likely influenced by growing competition from digital platforms.
The analysis of entrepreneurial registrations and terminations, based on data from the Chambers of Commerce Business Registers, shows a negative ratio of entries to exits, with 0.8 new businesses for each closure since 2022. The sector with the best performance is post-production, which in 2024 recorded 81 new registrations against 47 terminations (ratio 1.72). For the other sectors, however, the balance is negative: 0.79 new businesses for every closure in production, 0.46 in TV programming & broadcasting, 0.33 in exhibition, and 0.23 in distribution.
In summary, the audiovisual sector is showing signs of growth, particularly in production and post-production, while the distribution sector and TV programming face hardship due to changes in the digital content market.
Regarding employment, the audiovisual sector in 2024 has been estimated to comprise 124,185 units. Self-employment remains central (55,816 units), while the number of employees has slightly decreased (46,827 headcounts). The survey also considers former ENPALS and administrators to provide a comprehensive assessment of the workforce. Overall, employment has grown by 0.6% compared to 2023, mainly driven by the self-employed component.
In 2024, female audiovisual entrepreneurs accounted for 28.7% of the total, a slight increase from the previous year; their incidence is higher in the exhibition, distribution, and TV programming sectors.
The presence of women in managerial roles in the audiovisual sector has increased by 2.9%, reaching 23.4% of the total, with TV programming & broadcasting and exhibition showing the most significant progress.
Women employees make up 42.6% of the total audiovisual workforce, with a greater concentration in the theatrical, video & TV distribution, TV programming & broadcasting, and exhibition sectors, compared to a male predominance in the production and post-production sectors.