Romania's media market in 2025 is both dynamic and challenging. Alongside traditional television and radio, online portals and social media are rapidly increasing their influence, while the issues of ownership concentration and political influence continue to cause tension. The digital transformation and growing demand for independent content require new strategies from the media. The key to the future is high-quality, independent, and sustainable media that can simultaneously serve the demand for fast news consumption and maintain credibility. An analysis from Live PR's media expert in Romania.
At the same time, maintaining and financing the Hungarian-language minority media market, which operates in parallel with the Romanian-language media, poses a particular challenge. In Transylvania, Hungarian-language radio stations, television channels, and online portals are important pillars of identity, culture, and public information, but the market is small and fragmented, and therefore struggles with sustainability issues.
The Romanian media landscape in 2025 presents a complex picture: traditional television and radio remain dominant, while online portals and social media are rapidly increasing their influence. Digital transformation, ownership concentration, and the demand for a sustainable business model all pose new challenges for the industry’s players.
Market structure and competition
Television and radio remain the most popular forms of media in Romania. PRO TV and Antena 1 are the market leaders, but online portals such as Digi24, HotNews, and G4Media are steadily strengthening their role in public and economic news. Local and regional media are fragmented: many smaller newspapers are struggling financially, while a significant portion of advertising revenue is concentrated among the major national players.
Ownership concentration and political influence
The Romanian media market is dominated by a few large companies that own most of the television, radio, and online news portals, which gives them the opportunity to exert political and economic influence. Independent and non-profit media outlets try to balance the mainstream narrative, but financial sustainability is difficult: paid content consumption has not yet become part of the public consciousness. Press freedom and public trust
Freedom of press and trust in media
Romania ranks in the middle in terms of press freedom, and public trust in the media is mixed: while the credibility of independent portals is growing, trust in commercial channels and tabloid media is often low. Misinformation, social media algorithms, and political influence continue to make it difficult to stay informed, so the media must place greater emphasis on credible communication.
Future trends
The public is increasingly open to paid news services, especially in the case of quality, independent journalism. The most sustainable business models: a combination of advertising, subscriptions, and EU or private funding can ensure the long-term operation of media outlets. At the same time, local innovation—video content, podcasts, data journalism—can help regional media outlets strengthen their position and increase audience trust.
Characteristics of the Hungarian media in Romania
Major media outlets
Television stations: Hungarian channels in Partium and Transylvania, which operate with limited coverage, such as Mediaklikk's regional programs and Erdély TV, are now able to reach a larger audience through their presence on social media. Radio stations are very popular. Among these, Marosvásárhelyi Rádió and Kolozsvári Rádió play a prominent role thanks to their wide coverage, informing local communities on a daily basis. At the same time, online portals such as Székelyhon, Transindex, and Maszol are important sources of news for the Hungarian community in Romania, especially among younger, digitally active readers.
Digital transformation and challenges
The rise of online platforms is also noticeable in the Hungarian media in Romania, but subscription and advertising revenues are limited due to the smaller market. Social media is key to reaching young audiences—and now not only young audiences—but at the same time, credibility and the fight against misinformation are becoming increasingly challenging. Innovation (video content, podcasts, interactive journalism) can help regional media increase their impact.
The Hungarian media in Romania, especially in Transylvania, represents cultural identity, a source of information, and a community-building tool all at once. Despite the challenges posed by their minority status—a small market, financing difficulties, and the digital transition—independent, credible, innovative media outlets have and will continue to play a key role in the life of the Hungarian community in Romania.
