Every day, people rack up over 1 billion hours watching YouTube on their TVs. According to CEO Neal Mohan, TVs have overtaken smartphones as the go-to device for US viewers tuning into everything from podcasts and livestreams to Shorts, sports, and shows available to YouTube TV’s 8 million+ subscribers. YouTube has also pulled ahead of Netflix as the top streaming platform.
So, how’d this shift happen? The pandemic got people watching YouTube on TVs more, and the habit stuck, as The New York Times reported. YouTube’s diverse content pulls in all kinds of viewers, especially during major events like elections, games, or festivals. On the tech side, they’ve upgraded the TV app, making it easier to navigate and blending video and social features.
Then there’s the creators. Unlike big streamers splashing cash on originals, YouTube’s creators fund their own work. Flops don’t cost the company, but hits earn them a 45% cut of ad revenue. Quality has come a long way since the platform’s early days—today’s creators churn out talk shows, shorts, series, and even full-length movies. Many prefer YouTube’s speed and creative control over traditional Hollywood.
Looking ahead, YouTube’s rolling out new tools: autodubbing for global reach, better podcast discovery and monetization, and AI to help with video ideas, titles, and thumbnails. They’re also working on a “second screen” feature, letting viewers use their phones to comment or shop while watching on TV, plus new ad formats like pause ads and QR codes for always-on screens.
Meanwhile, Netflix is chasing podcasters for talk shows, per Business Insider, which might click with the 89% of Gen Z podcast fans who prefer video formats. But YouTube’s already the top podcast platform in the US, so Netflix has its work cut out.
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