When you think of YouTube, you probably imagine people watching their favorite creators on their phones and laptop screens. However, the YouTube landscape is changing, and as a result, our watching habits are changing too. Neilson’s ‘The Gauge’ report is designed to track exactly how much time viewers spend watching various TV networks, streaming services, and platforms. The report is done monthly.
In April 2025, YouTube secured the top spot for the third consecutive month. Neilson found that 12.4% of viewers spent their time watching the app, compared to Disney (10.7%), Paramount (8.9%), and NBCUniversal (8.2%).
Comparatively, March’s version of the report had YouTube leading the way with a 12% share. Moreover, in the February report, YouTube set the record for the first time with an 11.6% share. This means that, as well as being the platform of choice for TV viewers, YouTube has seen a 0.8% increase in interest during this period.
Back in February, in a blog post, Neal Mohan, YouTube’s CEO, dubbed YouTube “the new television.”
He pointed out that TV is now the primary device people watch YouTube on, and added: “For more and more people, watching TV means watching YouTube. But the ‘new’ television doesn’t resemble the ‘old’ television. It’s interactive and features things like shorts (yes, people watch them on TVs), podcasts, and live streams, right alongside the sports, sitcoms, and talk shows people already enjoy.”
Evidently, looking at these most recent figures, this still rings true. Mohan was clearly on to something when he made this declaration. And if it means getting more creators on the silver screen, long may it continue.
