In a groundbreaking shift, YouTube has officially revealed that users are now spending more time watching content on their TVs than on their phones. CEO Neal Mohan announced in the platform’s annual letter that viewers are now consuming over 1 billion hours of content daily on their television screens.
TV Usage Surpasses Phones
For the last two years, YouTube has been the leading streaming service in the U.S., surpassing its competition according to Nielsen data. This rise in TV viewership can be attributed to YouTube’s continuous improvements to its TV app, which now mimics the feel of a traditional streaming service. “For more and more people, watching TV means watching YouTube,” Mohan wrote, acknowledging the platform’s expanding role in home entertainment.
Changes to YouTube’s TV App
To enhance the experience, YouTube made several key updates to its TV interface. One of the major changes last year was the ability to view video comments and descriptions on the right side of the screen while the video played on the left, offering a more interactive experience. The company also introduced “seasons” to streamline the navigation of series of videos, allowing users to easily switch between episodes using their remote. Additionally, the “Watch With” feature enables real-time commentary from creators during live events and games, further enhancing user engagement.
The New Age of TV Viewing
Mohan emphasized the shift in the landscape of TV entertainment: “The ‘new’ television doesn’t look like the ‘old’ television. It’s interactive and includes things like Shorts, podcasts, and live streams, right alongside sports, sitcoms, and talk shows.” The integration of these diverse content types reflects YouTube’s transformation into an all-encompassing platform for modern television viewing.
YouTube’s Subscriber Growth
In addition to TV app enhancements, YouTube TV’s subscriber base has seen a steady rise, now surpassing 8 million subscribers, despite the recent price increase. YouTube Premium and Music subscriptions have also surged, with over 100 million subscribers (including trials). The company plans to continue improving features like Key Plays and multiview for YouTube TV, and offering more benefits for YouTube Premium subscribers.
As YouTube cements its dominance on the big screen, it’s clear the future of television may no longer be just about traditional broadcasts—it’s about engaging content and interactive experiences that draw people back to their TVs.
Source: The Verge