YouTube is nearing its 20th anniversary in December, and its CEO, Neal Mohan, recently stated that YouTube has evolved into “the new television.” As of December 2024, in the United States, viewing on TVs exceeded that of mobile devices.
Mohan noted that viewers are collectively watching over 1 billion hours of YouTube content daily on TVs, solidifying TV as the primary device for YouTube consumption in the U.S.
YouTube’s subscription services are also experiencing significant growth. YouTube TV has surpassed 8 million subscribers in the U.S., even after recent price increases. Furthermore, YouTube Music & Premium has exceeded 100 million subscribers, including trial subscriptions.
Looking ahead, YouTube’s CEO believes that AI will streamline both content creation and consumption on the platform. The company recently introduced new features for generating image backgrounds, video backgrounds, and instrumental soundtracks for YouTube Shorts. The AI-powered auto dubbing feature will soon be available to all creators in the YouTube Partner Program, with expanded language support to follow.
Utilizing YouTube on TV for Podcast Listening
YouTube’s prominence extends to podcast consumption as well. Based on findings, YouTube stands out as the leading podcast listening service in the U.S., surpassing other platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Other Notable Trends
YouTube has maintained its position as the dominant streaming platform in the U.S. for the past two years.
AI Integration
YouTube is actively integrating AI to improve user experience.
Step 1: Explore the new AI powered creative tools within YouTube Studio.
Step 2: Experiment with AI generated image and video backgrounds for shorts.
Step 3: Leverage the auto-dubbing features to expand audience reach.
Step 4: Stay informed about upcoming AI features to optimize your channel and content strategy.
The shift towards TV viewing signifies a major evolution for YouTube, highlighting its transition from a primarily mobile platform to a dominant force in the living room. Furthermore, AI integration will likely influence the platform’s future trajectory.