YouTube has reached an all-time high, capturing 11.6% of total TV viewing in February, according to Nielsen’s Media Distributor Gauge Report. The video giant surpassed Disney, which had previously held the top spot, due to a surge in creator-driven content.
Disney’s decline was attributed to the absence of NFL playoff games and College Football Playoffs, which boosted its January numbers. However, YouTube has been on a long-term growth trajectory, with its share of total TV viewing increasing by 53% over the past two years.
The platform’s success can be attributed to its diverse content offerings, drawing from popular creator-driven programs rather than relying heavily on tentpole programming. The report notes that older audiences, particularly those aged 65 and above, have seen a significant increase in viewership, with nearly doubling over the past two years.
Fox Corp., on the other hand, benefited from increased viewership of its Fox News Channel and Fox Sports 1, primarily due to the Super Bowl and NASCAR races. The platform’s overall viewing has been driven by an older demographic, similar to kids aged 2-11.
Notably, Nielsen only tracks YouTube content owned by Disney and other streaming services, leaving out creator-driven content. Despite this, YouTube remains a dominant force in TV viewing, with its numbers dwarfing those of Netflix and other competitors.
Source: https://deadline.com/2025/03/youtube-hits-new-high-tv-viewing-share-february-nielsen-1236348276