The global entertainment and media industry will be worth close to $1,000 billion by 2004 as the technological revolution, regulatory changes and a robust economic climate boost growth, a new study has claimed.

Global Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2002-04 was compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as a worldwide analysis of the digital era's economic impact. The study analysed some 10 sectors within the industry.

Mr Fergal O'Rourke, a partner in PwC, said the market for digital technology alone would be worth some $75 billion (€87 billion) and Ireland would be well placed to benefit from this growth due to its low tax environment and technology-friendly bureaucracy.