YouTube TV streaming hit record highs in December 2024
YouTube is continuing its dominance in TV streaming, topping TV viewership charts.
YouTube reigns supreme in TV streaming
According to new data from Nielsen’s Media Distributor, The Gauge, YouTube claimed a record-breaking 11.1% share of total TV viewership in December 2024. This achievement also highlights a broader trend: TV watch time during the holiday season was up 4% from November. In 2024, these increases included nine days with over 100 billion TV viewing minutes, compared with 13 in 2023.
YouTube’s record high isn’t surprising, as its 2024 TV recap showed how the platform is leveraging media consumption across traditional shows, podcasts, and music videos. By offering diverse content and embracing new formats, YouTube has positioned itself as a go-to destination for viewers, including those tuning in from their living room. In fact, nearly 40% of the 2.3 million views on a new video came from the living room.
December’s streaming winners
While YouTube led to the pack, other platforms also saw significant viewership increases during the holiday season. Netflix achieved its joint highest share of 8.5% of TV viewership, influenced by NFL games and its holiday film lineup. Amazon Prime Video accounted for 4.0% of TV watch time, thanks to original content like Red One and MrBeast’s Beast Games.
However, YouTube stands apart. Unlike other streaming platforms whose increased viewing figures were tied to specific releases, YouTube’s growth appears rooted in its broad content diversity. From kids’ programs to educational videos and music, YouTube has something for everyone.
The rise of podcasts on YouTube
One standout growth area for YouTube is podcasts. With over 400 million hours of podcasts consumed on living room devices, YouTube has become the leading platform for video podcasts. This multimedia storytelling format blurs the lines between audio and video, offering new creators new ways to connect with audiences.
In 2024, YouTube solidified its status as a podcasting market leader, overtaking Spotify in the video podcasting space. Spotify is struggling to catch up to YouTube when it comes to video podcasting, despite increasingly trying to integrate video onto the platform. Spotify’s Partner Program is part of this strategy, but is facing challenges over non-podcast videos being mislabeled as such.
For now, YouTube maintains the top spot as the leading TV streaming platform, setting a high bar for competitors within the streaming space.