YouTube becomes top choice for TV viewing in the US, surpassing mobile

YouTube has officially become the go-to destination for TV viewing in the US, surpassing mobile in watch time, according to YouTube CEO Neal Mohan. As the platform marks its 20th anniversary, it has not only reshaped the digital landscape but also redefined how audiences consume content. Citing Nielsen data, Mohan highlighted that YouTube has maintained its position as the top streaming service in the U.S. for two consecutive years.
“The way people watch YouTube has changed dramatically. Viewers are now watching, on average, over a billion hours of YouTube content on TVs every day,” said Mohan. “But this ‘new’ television experience is different—it’s interactive and dynamic, featuring Shorts, podcasts, and live streams alongside traditional sports, sitcoms, and talk shows.”

The Future of YouTube: Four Key Bets for 2025
Reflecting on YouTube’s journey and looking ahead, Mohan outlined four strategic focus areas for 2025:
1. YouTube as the Epicenter of Culture
For over a decade, YouTube’s mission has been to give everyone a voice and connect audiences with the world. The platform continues to drive global culture, with events like the U.S. Presidential election, the Olympics, Coachella, and the Cricket World Cup unfolding in real time on YouTube.
“YouTube has become the go-to destination for major cultural moments. On election day alone, over 45 million viewers in the U.S. watched election-related content on YouTube,” Mohan noted.
Podcasts have also emerged as a major force on the platform. “YouTube is now the most frequently used service for listening to podcasts in the U.S.,” Mohan said, adding that the company will roll out new tools to enhance podcast discovery and monetization.
2. YouTubers as the Startups of Hollywood
Creators are redefining entertainment, transitioning from individual content production to building full-fledged media businesses. Mohan pointed to YouTubers like Alan Chikin Chow, who recently opened a 10,000-square-foot studio in Burbank, as examples of this shift.
“YouTube creators are bringing a startup mentality to Hollywood,” Mohan said. “They are building studios, elevating production quality, and pioneering new revenue streams.”
Monetization options are also expanding beyond ads and YouTube Premium. Last year, more than 50% of channels earning five figures or more on YouTube derived revenue from non-traditional sources, including shopping recommendations and channel memberships, which saw a 40% increase in adoption.

3. YouTube as the New Television
With connected TVs now leading in watch time, YouTube is enhancing its TV experience. The platform is rolling out second-screen features that allow users to comment or shop while watching on their TVs and testing a new “Watch With” feature, enabling creators to provide live commentary on major events.
“YouTube TV now has over 8 million subscribers, and YouTube Music & Premium together boast over 100 million subscribers,” Mohan shared. “We’re continually improving fan-favorite features like Key Plays and multiview and bringing new benefits to our subscribers.”
The platform’s TV ad offerings are also expanding, with interactive formats like QR codes and pause ads designed specifically for the big screen.
4. AI Enhancing the YouTube Experience
YouTube has long leveraged AI for content recommendations and moderation, and now it’s taking AI further to support creators. Features like Dream Screen and Dream Track generate video backgrounds and instrumental soundtracks for Shorts, and the soon-to-be-integrated Veo 2 model will enhance these capabilities.
“Creators are excited about AI’s potential, not just for content generation but for everyday tasks like brainstorming video ideas, titles, and thumbnails,” Mohan said.
AI is also playing a key role in audience expansion. More than 40% of watch time on videos with dubbed audio comes from viewers opting for a different language. YouTube plans to make auto-dubbing available to all creators in the YouTube Partner Program and expand language support throughout the year.
The company is also prioritizing AI safeguards. “We’re developing new tools to help creators detect and control how AI-generated content represents them on YouTube,” Mohan stated.
Looking Ahead: The Next 20 Years
“YouTube has been at the forefront of digital transformation for two decades,” Mohan reflected. “As we embark on our next chapter, we remain committed to supporting our creators, empowering audiences, and driving innovation in digital entertainment.”
With AI advancements, a growing TV presence, and an ever-evolving creator economy, YouTube is shaping the future of media consumption for generations to come.

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