Most people might view YouTube as a popular mobile app, but it would appear that it is now starting to become even more popular on TVs. According to YouTube, the TV has become the primary device for watching YouTube in the United States.
The latest update was provided by YouTube’s Neal Mohan, as part of the CEO’s annual letter describing the company’s plans for the year ahead. According to Mohan, viewers are now watching, on average, more than one billion hours of YouTube content on TVs each day.
What’s more, it is not just long-form content, like podcasts and live streams, that’s being consumed more on the big screen in the home. For example, YouTube says that its Shorts service is also proving a popular option on TVs, further helping to increase watch time. Other popular content being consumed on TVs include sports, sitcoms and talk shows.
With TVs becoming increasingly popular, YouTube says it is working on new features to improve the TV experience. For example, a second screen experience that makes it possible to use a phone to interact (leave a comment or make a purchase) with the video being watched on a TV.
Another experience that’s set to become more commonly available is Watch With. Originally tested last year with NFL content, Watch With allows creators to provide live commentary and real time reactions to games and events. As part of the expansion of this feature, users can expect Watch With to gain support for more sports (and non-sports content) later this year.
Anyone who watches YouTube regularly will know that AI has become more comment, both in terms of content and features. YouTube says this will continue in the future, with the company set to “continue investing in AI tools that empower creators and artists throughout their creative journey.”
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