YouTube is now the most-watched streaming service on TVs in the US

YouTube has officially surpassed phones as the primary platform for video consumption, with users now watching over 1 billion hours of content on their TVs every day. This marks a significant milestone for the platform, as detailed in the annual letter from YouTube CEO Neal Mohan.

For the past two years, YouTube has maintained its position as the most-watched streaming service in the United States, according to Nielsen data. The platform’s ongoing success can be attributed to recent updates and improvements to its TV app, which has transformed YouTube into a more streamlined and interactive viewing experience.

One of the key changes made last year was an overhaul of YouTube’s TV app layout. Users can now view video comments and descriptions on the right side of the screen while the video continues playing on the left. In addition, YouTube introduced a new feature that organizes video series into “seasons,” making it easier to navigate through content using a remote control. Another popular update was the “Watch With” feature, which enables creators to provide real-time commentary during live events and games, further enhancing the interactive nature of YouTube’s TV experience.

Mohan noted in his letter, “For more and more people, watching TV means watching YouTube.” He pointed out that today’s television experience is vastly different from the traditional format, with YouTube integrating interactive features such as Shorts, podcasts, and live streams, alongside traditional programming like sports and sitcoms. The evolving nature of television is helping YouTube capture a larger share of viewers’ screen time.

In addition to YouTube’s growing TV presence, the platform’s subscription services are also seeing strong growth. YouTube TV, despite a recent price increase, has surpassed 8 million subscribers. YouTube Premium and YouTube Music subscriptions have also crossed 100 million, including trials. These figures remained stable compared to last year, but Mohan emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing subscriber offerings, including improving popular YouTube TV features such as Key Plays and multiview. The company also plans to introduce new benefits for YouTube Premium users in the near future.

As YouTube continues to expand its presence on televisions, the platform is solidifying its position as a dominant player in the streaming landscape, offering a blend of traditional and innovative content that appeals to a broad audience.