The Media & Entertainment sector is witnessing a gradual recovery in hiring activity, according to the latest TeamLease Employment Outlook Report, as OTT platforms, gaming companies and digital content ecosystems continue to drive demand for specialised talent. The report recorded a Net Employment Change (NEC) of 2.9% in HY1 FY 2026–27, compared with 1.2% in the previous half-year, reflecting renewed investment in content production and stabilising digital monetisation models.
The findings are based on a survey of 1,268 employers across 23 industries and 20 cities, conducted between November 2025 and January 2026. While 54% of employers indicated plans to increase hiring, 21% expected no change and 25% anticipated workforce reductions, signalling a cautious approach as companies continue to balance expansion with profitability and operational efficiency.
The report highlighted growing demand for digital-first roles linked to content production, audience engagement and platform growth strategies. Companies across OTT, gaming and regional content platforms are increasingly hiring digital content creators, animation and VFX specialists, performance marketers and data analysts to support multilingual content development and improve consumer engagement across formats.
The hiring trends also point to a broader shift in the media and entertainment industry towards technology-led and platform-driven operations. Employers are prioritising skills related to digital production, ad-tech, analytics and platform technology, as traditional media functions continue to evolve into data-led ecosystems focused on audience insights, monetisation and measurable returns on content investments.
At the same time, selective hiring reductions are expected across parts of the industry as companies streamline operations, optimise production pipelines and adopt automation and analytics tools to improve efficiency. The report noted that nearly one-quarter of employers anticipate reducing headcount while restructuring teams around leaner operating models.
Sales and marketing emerged as the most in-demand job function, with 45% of employers expressing interest in hiring for these roles. Finance followed at 33%, while blue-collar hiring accounted for 27% of employer demand. The trend underlines the growing importance of revenue generation, audience acquisition and performance-driven marketing functions within digital media businesses.
Among key hiring markets, Mumbai led with 23% employer interest, followed by Chennai at 20% and Pune at 16%. The report identified these cities as major hubs for talent linked to digital entertainment, production, technology and platform-led media operations.
Balasubramanian A, senior vice president, TeamLease Services, said, “The increase in NEC to +2.9% signals a gradual recovery in media and entertainment hiring, driven by the growth of OTT, gaming, and digital content platforms. As the industry shifts toward sustainable monetisation and platform-led models, hiring is becoming more focused on digital, analytics, and content technology capabilities. The future workforce will be leaner, more agile, and deeply aligned with evolving consumer consumption patterns.”
