Summary
- Alphabet has reported that YouTube generated more than $60 billion USD in total revenue over the last fiscal year
- The figure includes both a robust advertising business and a significant jump in revenue from YouTube Premium and YouTube TV subscriptions
- This milestone marks the first time YouTube’s total financial footprint has been fully detailed, placing it ahead of major competitors like Netflix
Google’s parent company Alphabet has officially unveiled the full scale of YouTube’s financial dominance, revealing that the video platform generated over $60 billion USD in total revenue last year. The disclosure, which provides a rare and comprehensive look at the platform’s earnings beyond just advertising, highlights a significant shift in the streaming landscape. By combining its ad-supported model with a rapidly growing subscription business, YouTube has effectively surpassed Netflix’s annual revenue, cementing its status as a premier powerhouse in the global entertainment industry.
According to the latest earnings report, YouTube’s advertising revenue alone reached approximately $35 billion USD, but it was the “subscriptions, platforms, and devices” segment that drove the total toward record highs. Services like YouTube Premium and YouTube TV have seen a massive influx of users, with the platform now boasting over 100 million paid subscribers. This diversification of income has shielded the company from fluctuations in the digital ad market, allowing it to maintain a steady upward trajectory while traditional streaming services face increased pressure to turn a profit.
Executives pointed toward the success of the NFL Sunday Ticket and the continued growth of YouTube Shorts as primary drivers for user engagement. By integrating long-form content, short-form viral videos, and live sports, YouTube has created an all-encompassing ecosystem that keeps viewers on the platform longer than its rivals. The report also noted that YouTube remains the top streaming service on television screens in the United States, further widening the gap between it and more conventional subscription-based video-on-demand services.
