Virtually non-existent before 2019, the term ‘creator economy’ has been on a rocket-like trajectory in recent years. But what exactly is it, and how does it differ from the economies that exist around traditional creative industries like broadcasting and film? John Maxwell Hobbs investigates.
The creator economy refers to a new wave of independent content creators, including influencers, writers, artists, video creators, live streamers, educators, and more, who build businesses around their online presence, creativity, and community engagement. It's driven largely by platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Patreon, and Substack.
You are not signed in
Only registered users can read the rest of this article.
NAB 2026 review: “Live immersive production is here, and it’s extraordinary”
If there is a single takeaway from NAB 2026 it’s that the broadcast media industry is rebalancing. The centre of gravity is shifting, the customer base is diversifying, and the definition of “media” is expanding across sectors.
Volumetric humans: The next frontier of immersive broadcast storytelling
Volumetric humans are moving from experimental captures to live, broadcast-ready assets, reshaping the creative opportunities and practical challenges of immersive storytelling and established production workflows across virtual and hybrid environments.
Spatial computing: “Instead of showing people a story, you’re letting them inhabit it”
Leveraging generative AI, computer vision, and data from real environments, spatial computing has opened the door for cutting-edge systems that blend the physical and digital worlds into a new frontier of human-technology interaction.
NAB preview: Automation, reinvention and politics to steal the show
NAB 2026 looks set to bring a raft of creativity and technological innovation, yet serious political and environmental questions remain.
How vertical video became the new frontline for live sports
Live sports entertainment remains the most powerful driver of real-time engagement in media, but the format through which it’s delivered is rapidly evolving.
