Broadband internet growth will propel the worldwide entertainment and media industries to a value of $1.8 trillion by 2009, PricewaterhouseCoopers predicts, as print publishers cede ground to new media, reports the Guardian (via paidcontent). The internet will continue to outpace other media, as more people use broadband and buy online: Internet advertising is predicted to increase by 16 percent to $32 billion in 2009, as marketers take advantage of broadband formats. The total internet sector is forecast to grow 17 percent annually over the next five years, reaching $289 billion.

According to PwC, spending on media and entertainment around the world grew 8 percent last year to $1.3 trillion - the largest gain since 2000. The internet was the fastest growing medium, with online advertising up 36 percent and access revenues up 21 percent, driven by the switch from dial-up to broadband.

Legal online distribution of games, videos and movies is also expected to accelerate. Total spending from new revenue streams such as broadband and digital downloads will rocket from $11.4 billion to $73 billion over the next five years, according to PwC's report, Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2005-2009.