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Peru's media landscape is characterized by severe ownership concentration in the private sector, with the El Comercio Group dominating across multiple platforms. This conglomerate controls approximately 80% of newspaper circulation, 78% of print readership, and 65% of online news audiences, representing one of the highest levels of media concentration globally.
Media regulation in Peru operates through two primary government bodies with distinct but complementary roles. The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) establishes telecommunications policy, grants concessions and licenses, and manages spectrum allocation under Law 28278, the Radio and Television Law. The Supervisory Agency for Private Investment in Telecommunications (OSIPTEL) exercises regulatory, normative, and sanctioning powers, issuing rules on tariffs, service quality, interconnection, and infrastructure sharing.
Peru employs a single concession regime covering all telecommunications services with a maximum 20-year term. Notable policy developments include the controversial 2018 Official Advertising Regulation Law, which prohibits state entities from purchasing advertising in private media and mandates use of state-owned channels only—critics view this as indirect censorship. The regulatory vacuum in certain areas and lack of robust anti-concentration mechanisms have allowed extreme media consolidation to persist unchecked.
Digital media has experienced rapid growth despite infrastructure challenges, with approximately 27.3 million internet users representing 87% penetration as of 2025, though significant urban-rural divides persist. Social media platforms dominate Peru's digital landscape, with Facebook maintaining the fifth-largest Latin American audience, while TikTok has surged to 24.4 million users, becoming the second-largest platform.
Meta's ecosystem—including WhatsApp and Messenger with over 20 million users each—dominates communication patterns. Peru emerged as the fastest-growing digital advertising market globally in 2023, with social media advertising reaching $128 million despite having the lowest ad spend share among major Latin American economies. Mobile internet usage has transformed behaviors, with digital banking usage tripling between 2022 and 2024.
Peru's media landscape has undergone significant transformation, with digital platforms now commanding a substantial portion of the country's advertising market and consumer attention. As of 2025, Peru's population stands at 34.4 million people, with nearly four out of five Peruvians (79.3%) living in urban areas. The country's median age is 30.2 years, with a balanced gender split of 50.3% women and 49.7% men, creating an attractive demographic profile for advertisers targeting young, urban audiences.
Internet adoption in Peru has reached impressive levels, with approximately 27.3 million internet users in 2025, representing 79.5% of the total population. This marks more than a doubling of the online population over the last decade, demonstrating sustained growth in digital connectivity. The year-on-year growth rate stands at 1.1%, indicating continued expansion even as the market matures.
Social media penetration is particularly strong, with Peru home to 24.5 million social media user identities in January 2025, equating to 71.2% of the total population. Among specific platforms,YouTubeleads with 19.1 million users, achieving an ad reach equivalent to 55.5% of Peru's total population and 69.8% of the country's total internet user base. The platform's adult audience composition is 47.9% female and 52.1% male. YouTube's potential ad reach increased by 1.50 million users (+8.5%) between early 2024 and early 2025.Facebookdominates the social media landscape with a 71.22% market share.Messengerreached 12.9 million users in early 2025, equivalent to 37.4% of the total population and 47.0% of the local internet user…
Television maintains the highest level of consumption in the country, reaching 100% in cities in the northeastern region. Television is the most common appliance in Peruvian homes after the stove, underscoring its continued dominance despite the rise of digital platforms. Traditional news sources such as TV continue to be important, though they are experiencing decline in weekly use.
Radiodemonstrates remarkably strong penetration, reaching 91.3% of Peruvians overall and 93.4% of people in urban areas. This makes radio one of the most pervasive traditional media channels in the country.Print mediareaches more than 5 million people who read newspapers belonging to El Comercio, La República, and other publishing groups at local and national levels. This represents a smaller but still significant segment of the media landscape, particularly among certain demographic groups. Peru's advertising market continues to expand robustly, with total ad spending across online and offline channels reaching$1.15 billion in 2025, representing a 5.5% increase from the previous year. The distribution of this spending reveals a clear shift toward digital…
| Indicator | Current Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Internet Penetration | 87% (2024) | 79.5% use internet regularly with smartphones as primary access device |
| Television Penetration | 100% in urban areas | TV remains most common household appliance after stove |
| Radio Penetration | 91.3% overall; 93.4% urban | One of the most pervasive traditional media channels |
| Mobile Device Usage | Primary media access device | Smartphones dominate media consumption patterns |
TV viewing remains significant in Peru with 100% penetration in northeastern cities. Television is the most common appliance in Peruvian homes after the stove, underscoring its continued dominance despite the rise of digital platforms. Radio demonstrates remarkably strong penetration, reaching 91.3% of Peruvians overall and 93.4% of people in urban areas, making it one of the most pervasive traditional media channels.
Peruvians increasingly use mobile devices for media consumption. With 79.5% of the population using the internet, smartphones are the preferred device for accessing media content. Urban areas tend to have higher rates of digital media consumption due to better internet access and a younger demographic, while rural areas rely more on traditional media like radio and TV due to limited internet availability.
Overall trust in news media remains low in Peru, consistent with global trends, with the Reuters Institute reporting challenges of disinformation and increased threats against journalists. Traditional media face skepticism, particularly among younger audiences. While radio and television maintain higher credibility than social media, their trust levels still lag behind many European countries.
Younger audiences (under 35 years) prefer online and social media with notably lower trust in all media sources, while older groups rely more on radio and television and express comparatively higher trust. News remains a leading genre, though audiences express concern over accuracy and bias. Entertainment content is highly popular, especially on social media platforms, while sports and lifestyle programming attract significant viewership via television and online streaming.
