People spending more time watching YouTube on TVs than smartphones
What's the story
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan has revealed that the platform's daily viewership on televisions now surpasses one billion hours, outdoing mobile consumption.
The change in viewing habits highlights the evolution of content consumption and the growing preference for bigger screens.
For the last two years, YouTube has been the most popular streaming service in the US, Nielsen data shows.
App improvements
TV app enhancements boost viewership
YouTube's growth in TV viewership can largely be credited to the major upgrades it has made to its TV app, turning it into a proper streaming service.
Last year, the company redesigned the app's layout to let users see video comments and descriptions on one side of the screen and watch videos on the other.
The update also added "seasons" for easy navigation through video series using remote.
Interactive television
YouTube introduces interactive features to TV viewing
The revamped YouTube TV app also comes with a "Watch With" feature, allowing creators to offer real-time commentary on games and events.
Mohan stressed that today's television experience is more interactive, with Shorts, podcasts, and live streams sitting alongside traditional content like sports and talk shows.
He said, "For more and more people, watching TV means watching YouTube."
Subscription growth
YouTube's subscription services continue to grow
Apart from its free platform, YouTube also has subscription services. YouTube TV now has over eight million subscribers despite a recent price hike.
Meanwhile, combined subscriptions for YouTube Premium and Music have crossed the 100 million mark (including trials). These numbers match those reported by the company last year.
Mohan assured they will "continue to improve fan-favorite YouTube TV features...and bring new benefits to YouTube Premium subscribers."