YouTube now watched more on TV screens than any other device

• Televisions have become the primary device for watching YouTube in the U.S., with viewers tuning into more than 1 billion hours of the platform’s content daily on TVs. The rise of smart TVs, continuous app improvements and a diverse content library drives the shift.
• YouTube’s redesigned TV app enhances the viewing experience by allowing users to read comments and video descriptions without blocking the main video.
• YouTube TV’s subscriber base has grown to over 8 million, solidifying its role as a cable replacement while streaming surpasses cable in TV viewership.

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Think about the last time you watched YouTube. Was it on your phone or your TV?

If it was the latter, you’re part of a growing trend. TVs are now the primary device for watching YouTube in the United States, according to the company’s annual letter.

Viewers watch more than 1 billion hours of YouTube content daily on TVs.

Smart TVs and app updates drive the shift

Several factors are contributing to this trend. The rise of smart TVs, continuous app improvements, and a diverse content library have all made YouTube a dominant player in home entertainment.

YouTube’s annual letter highlights that people are no longer just watching traditional videos. They are engaging with short-form content, podcasts, live streams and sports.

YouTube enhances TV viewing experience

The platform recently redesigned its TV app to make browsing more user-friendly. Viewers can now read comments and video descriptions without blocking the main video.

Older designs that hid the video while users explored details disrupted the viewing experience. YouTube adjusted its interface to keep the video as the primary focus while allowing users to interact with additional features.

Long-form content is growing

Creators are also shifting their approach. YouTube now allows verified users to upload videos up to 12 hours long, or 256GB in size.

This expansion supports the platform’s move toward longer-form content, giving audiences more in-depth videos to watch on their TVs.

YouTube TV gains more subscribers

YouTube’s subscription-based live TV service is also seeing growth. More than 8 million people now subscribe to YouTube TV.

Many households treat such streaming services as a cable replacement despite rising subscription prices across platforms.

Streaming surpasses cable in TV viewership

Nielsen’s The Gauge report reveals that streaming platforms accounted for the largest share of all TV viewing formats, including cable, in December.

With more people watching YouTube on the biggest screen in their homes, the platform is solidifying its place as the new go-to destination for television entertainment.