Vertical Media on Track to Generate $150 Billion in 2026 as the Booming Sector Fights Crowded Content Field and High Subscriber Acquisition Costs

Meta, ByteDance and YouTube projected to generate 94% of vertical revenue outside of China this year

There’s no doubt that 2026 will go down as a milestone year for the growth in popularity of vertical media content in the U.S. The sector is booming but still incredibly diffuse. That will change as microdramas and other formats proliferate and generate more advertising, subscription and in-app purchase revenue.