The average person now spends 8.24 hours every single day consuming media. According to the 13th annual Global Consumer Media Usage Forecast 2026-2030 released by PQ Media, global consumption rose 0.3% in 2025. Despite a lack of mega-sporting events last year, Patrick Quinn, CEO of PQ Media, noted that intense geopolitical tensions and heavy news cycles kept audiences worldwide deeply engaged with digital platforms.

Digital media is rapidly becoming the primary way we spend our time, accounting for more than 42% of all media consumption globally in 2025. In established markets like the United States and the United Kingdom, digital platforms have already crossed the threshold to represent over 50% of total media time. However, a surprising counter-trend is emerging: print books are seeing a resurgence among younger demographics who are actively seeking ways to combat digital burnout.

Looking toward the future, PQ Media predicts a significant usage spike for 2026. This anticipated "even-year" surge will be fueled by massive global events, including the FIFA World Cup hosted across North America and the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. While odd-numbered years typically see slight plateaus, the continued expansion of ad-supported streaming and mobile video is expected to keep global engagement at record highs through 2030.