India’s advertising industry is projected to grow 8.8% in 2026 to reach around $22.5 billion (approximately ₹2 trillion), according to WPP Media’s latest This Year, Next Year (TYNY) Midyear 2026 report.
The outlook remains broadly positive for India, supported by strong digital adoption, festive-driven consumption, ecommerce expansion, quick commerce penetration and a large base of small and medium businesses. WPP Media expects the market to return to double-digit growth from 2027 onwards through the end of the decade.
Digital and social advertising is projected to reach $8.3 billion in 2026, growing 13.2%, driven by short-form video, creator-led content and emerging formats like microdramas. The report also flags new ad formats being introduced by streaming and broadcaster platforms.
Commerce media is emerging as a key growth engine, expected to rise 29% to $3.9 billion, powered by ecommerce and quick commerce players such as Blinkit, Zepto and Instamart.
Meanwhile, television advertising is expected to decline 6.8% to $4.9 billion as audiences continue shifting toward streaming platforms. Out-of-home (OOH) advertising is projected to grow 8.6% to $0.5 billion, aided by infrastructure expansion and rising commuter activity.
Overall, the report highlights a structural shift in India’s ad economy, with digital and commerce-led ecosystems increasingly reshaping where and how advertising spends are allocated, even as traditional media like TV face continued pressure.
.jpg)
