YouTube reigned as the top US streaming provider in January, according to Nielsen's new study on TV watching trends. The survey revealed that YouTube was the leading streaming site, with 8.6% of TV viewers. Netflix followed closely with 7.9% of TV consumption.
YouTube maintained its dominance, securing its 12th consecutive month as the leading streaming service. Due to NFL playoff coverage, Peacock saw a notable 29% increase in usage, earning a record 1.6% share of the TV market. Netflix also saw a slight gain of 0.2 share points, reaching 7.9% of TV, its highest since August 2023. A 10% increase in Roku Channel usage also elevated its share to 1.1% of total TV.
Notably, new scripted programs boosted streaming platform use. Netflix's "Fool Me Once" topped streaming records with 6.5 billion minutes. Original programming topped the streaming rankings for the first time since May 2023, after "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story." Disney+'s "Bluey" and Amazon Prime Video's "Reacher" followed with 5.5 billion and 4.3 billion minutes, respectively. Overall, streaming increased by 4.1% in January.
(Photo : Chris McGrath/Getty Images) The YouTube and Netflix app logos are seen on a television screen on March 23, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Traditional TV Shows Losing Popularity
YouTube, owned by Google, said in a blog post that people watch over 1 billion hours of YouTube video on their TVs every day. This increase in YouTube viewing shows that US consumers prefer user-generated videos over conventional TV broadcasts. Notably, 61% of Gen Z individuals reported favoring user-generated content over other formats, reflecting a shifting trend in entertainment consumption.
Furthermore, YouTube creators have witnessed a significant increase in viewership from TVs, with the top YouTubers receiving the most TV watch time soaring by over 400%.
YouTube creators shape the platform's varied terrain, making it a top destination for entertainment and education. YouTube content rivals TV and documentaries, giving viewers an immersive experience as content creators create personal ties with viewers on the platform, distinguishing them from shows produced by traditional media.
Content creator Kinigra Deon noticed that linked TVs accounted for over 70% of her 2023 viewers. Kinigra expressed a changing perception of content creators, as back then, they prioritized being viral over creativity. Now, the dynamics have changed.
"The YouTubers I see now have professional cameras, entire studios and they're creating this fan base with high-quality content. We're different from Hollywood because we have the quality and we also have a personal relationship with our audience," Kinigra said.
YouTube Facing Legal Action
This news follows New York City's legal action against YouTube and other social media sites for mental health risks. TechTimes previously reported that the city administration sued Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat for exposing young people to hazardous information and causing a youth mental health crisis.
The city of New York, the school system, and health groups sued Meta, Snap, ByteDance, and Google in California Superior Court for intentionally creating and promoting addictive platforms for children without parental oversight. Mayor Eric Adams' administration disclosed that it spends over $100 million a year on children's mental health care, blaming social media.
This lawsuit highlights rising worries about social media's impact on mental health, leading educational and health groups to address these problems.
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