
21/07/2025
đș YouTubeâs Rise as the New TV
https://www.wsj.com/business/media/how-youtube-won-the-battle-for-tv-viewers-346d05b8?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1
YouTube is now the top video provider on U.S. TVs, with users watching over one billion hours per day on TV screensâmore than on phones or PCs. Thatâs more viewing time than all of Disneyâs broadcast networks, cable channels, and streaming services combined
TV viewing share by platform (May 2025, Nielsen data):
YouTube: â12.5 %
Netflix: â7.5 %
Disney (Disney+ + Hulu + ESPN+): â5 %
Streaming overall surpassed broadcast and cable for the first time, capturing ~45% of total TV viewing in Mayâled by YouTubeâs 12.5% share
Viewership on broadcast dropped below 20% (~18.5%), with cable at ~23.4%, and streaming at ~46%
Why YouTube is Winning
User behavior has shifted: A generation raised on mobile video now consumes YouTube on big screens, prompting creators to deliver longer, TVâlength content
Enhanced TV app experience: YouTube has refined its TV interfaceâleveraging TVâoptimized algorithms, sequential âshowsâ queuing, polished ad formats, and smoother navigation
Original-style and professional content: High-profile creators like Rhett & Link (âGood Mythical Morningâ) and Quenlin Blackwell now produce Hollywood-caliber content tailored for living room viewing
Big enters sports: YouTube acquired NFL Sunday Ticket rights, paying ~$2 billion annually since 2023. Itâs rolling out free, ad-supported NFL games and features like multi-view and creator-led commentary
Sports viewership on YouTube is up 45% so far this year
Hollywood partners on YouTube: Major networks (Warner Bros., Paramount) are syndicating content via YouTubeâs platformâselling subscriptions inside the appâtapping into its massive r
Low costs, high returns: YouTube benefits from user-generated and independent content with lower production costs compared to traditional streaming players (e.g., Netflix). Analysts suggest Netflix may need to spend hundreds of millions to lure top YouTube creators
đ§© Data & Trend Snapshot
Platform TV Share (%) Notes
YouTube (on TV) ~12.5 % Most-watched standalone
Netflix ~7.5 % Stable share
Disney Bundle ~5 % Combined (Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+)
Streaming overall: ~46% of total TV viewingâfirst time overtaking broadcast and cable
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Conclusion
YouTube has evolved into the de facto TV network of 2025, thanks to a potent mix of creator-driven, longer-form content; an improved livingâroom experience; major sports investment; and lower production overhead. Traditional studios and streamers are now racing to collaborate with YouTube or adapt, as the platform maintains loyalty among creators and viewers alike.