Average annual spending on media and entertainment in the U.S. 2022-2024, by age

Media and entertainment spending patterns in the United States reveal intriguing age-related disparities. A late-2024 study found that Americans spent an average of 1,399 U.S. dollars annually on digital media and entertainment, a slight decrease from two years prior. Notably, consumers aged 35 to 54 outspent other age groups, allocating 1,610 U.S. dollars per year to digital media consumption.

Generational differences in media spending

The rise of digital platforms has transformed how different age groups consume media. While 66 percent of the general population spent less than 1,000 U.S. dollars on media and entertainment annually, this figure rose to 77 percent for those aged 55 and older. Interestingly, it is not the youngest age group that was ready to spend more on media subscriptions, services and products, but millennials - their annual expenses were more likely to reach up to five thousand U.S. dollars. This disparity suggests that younger and older generations may be more frugal with their entertainment choices.

Consumption follows similar age patterns

The spending behavior is a direct result of how different generations consume media. Data on time spent with media types in the United States clearly suggest that millennials favor the more expensive ones - they devote more of their weekly hours to TV connected devices and video on a computer, as well as apps on tablets and internet on a computer. These media are the ones hosting the majority of subscription services - hence the increased spending outcomes. Younger and older generations in this case seem to spend more of their time with free entertainment sources.