Google Says Users Prefer TV For YouTube Content

Since the pandemic began to take hold in March 2020, many of us were forced indoors to keep safe and curb the spread of the virus. That eventually gave rise to Work From Home (WFH) routines to help businesses operate under lockdowns and other restrictions. But this has also had an impact on the entertainment sector.

Google claims that more than 90% of users who’ve connected their YouTube accounts with their smart TVs choose to stream content on said platform. Since more time is spent in doors, it made more sense to watch YouTube videos on a big screen TV instead of a dinky smartphone or tablet one.

According to Comscore, YouTube is #1 in reach and watch time among ad-supported streaming services, and is #1 in growth by watch hours over the past two years. Google also claims that in December 2020, a quarter of logged-in YouTube viewers watched content almost exclusively on a connected TV.

Credit: Google

There has also been a surge in viewership of content like music, cooking shows and comedy or humor. That’s not all, there’s also been an increase in viewership of travel content from faraway places. Since most thrill seekers were forced to stay indoors, the only escape that they have had is to allow their minds to drift away with such content.

There’s little doubt that YouTube has become the primary source of bite-sized entertainment consumption. Though Netflix rules the roost in terms of binge-watching favorite tv shows and movies, Google’s platform offers far more from a multitude of sources.