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Media Deals

Stars turn online fandom into IRL crowds

Media Trends Executive

Brands chase fans outside

Media Trends

Axios Media Trends

Sports media outpaces ticketing

Events pile on premium experiences and exclusive perks

A table shows global box office revenue and market share for IMAX from 2019 to 2025. In 2019, IMAX generated $1.1 billion, declining to $259 million in 2020 due to the pandemic. Revenue increased to $1.3 billion in 2025, with a global market share rising from 2.6% to 3.8%.

IMAX global box office revenue and market share

Data: Company filings; Chart: Sara Wise/Axios

Ticket prices are rising, but fans keep buying

A line chart shows percentage change in average admission costs for movies, theaters and concerts from January 2016 to June 2026. Prices had increased by 41.8% in July 2026.

Change in average cost of admission to movies, theaters and concerts since January 2016

Data: BLS; Note: No data in October 2025 due to lapse in appropriations; Chart: Sara Wise/Axios

Live events boom as counter to AI disruption

A set of line charts showing the change in select entertainment stocks from August 2, 2021 to August 3, 2026. In general, theme park and social entertainment stocks have underperformed the S&P 500. Many sports stocks have outperformed the S&P, while venue and theater stocks are mixed.

2026-08-13-entertainment-stocks

Data: Financial Modeling Prep; Chart: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

AOC's big week ignites hype and outrage

Communicators

Axios Communicators

Communicators spotlight: Jessica Kleiman from Lennar

The AI perception bubble

Exclusive: DoorDash names Christine Schirmer to new global comms role

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