YouTube has officially announced that television has become its primary viewing platform in the United States, surpassing mobile devices. This milestone coincides with the platform's 20th anniversary, as confirmed by CEO Neal Mohan.

According to Nielsen data, YouTube has maintained its position as the #1 streaming platform in U.S. watch time for two consecutive years, with video podcasts emerging as a major growth driver. A prime example is Joe Rogan's interview with President Trump, which accumulated 55 million views.

The platform's success in podcasting has prompted responses from major competitors:

• Spotify launched uninterrupted video podcasts in November 2024, reporting a 50% year-over-year growth in video podcast consumption
• Netflix is exploring deals with podcasters to establish its presence in the video podcast space
• YouTube remains the most popular service for podcast consumption in the United States

The rise of video podcasts is particularly notable among younger audiences, with Edison Research reporting that 89% of Gen Z podcast listeners engaged with video podcasts in 2024. YouTube users watched 400 million hours of podcasts on the platform that year, primarily on TV screens.

This shift has significant implications for content creators and the streaming industry:

• Video podcasts are more cost-effective to produce than traditional TV shows
• The TV format has proven beneficial rather than limiting for podcast growth
• Major platforms are actively developing tools to support podcasters and improve monetization
• Content discovery features are being enhanced to help viewers find new podcasts

The trend has sparked increased competition among streaming platforms, with Netflix reportedly pursuing deals with prominent podcasters, though facing some challenges. For example, Alex Cooper of "Call Her Daddy" opted for a SiriusXM deal worth up to $125 million instead of partnering with Netflix.

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