Distribution : Can Netflix Steal Viewers Away from YouTube? by Debbie Elicksen

Debbie Elicksen

Can Netflix Steal Viewers Away from YouTube?

In my opinion, absolutely not.

What they can do is work in tandem with each other, cross promote, and find ways to expand viewership on both platforms, if it is at all possible to expand viewership on YouTube, which is King.

According to Global Media Insight: "YouTube has more than 2.70 billion monthly active users as of 2024. YouTube Premium and Music together have more than 100 million subscribers in the world. More than ¼ of the world's population uses YouTube every month."

There are 51 million YouTube channels and only 38 million of those are considered active.

YouTube makes up nearly 10% of all television viewing in the U.S. last month. Netflix was lower, at 8.4%, although the highest for a subscription service. Streaming viewership hit a record overall share topping 40%.

https://deadline.com/2024/07/netflix-youtube-television-viewing-rivals-1...

Netflix Acknowledges Mighty YouTube Rival But Says Services "Feed Each Other" And Only One Takes Big Creative Bets
Netflix Acknowledges Mighty YouTube Rival But Says Services "Feed Each Other" And Only One Takes Big Creative Bets
Netflix acknowledged the heft of rival YouTube but said the two services are complementary and that only one of them (Netflix) takes big creative risks.
Maurice Vaughan

I don't think Netflix could compete with YouTube, Debbie Elicksen. YouTube users can upload videos, watch videos, watch movies/shows, and play games all in one place. Like you said, Netflix and YouTube can work in tandem with each other, cross promote, and find ways to expand viewership on both platforms.

Willem Elzenga

Are there examples of budget movie productions, maybe shorts, that got financed, made a profit and had YouTube as their sole distributor?

Lindbergh E Hollingsworth

Why would Netflix concern themselves with stealing viewers from YouTube? Netflix is, has monetized their BTS and "making of" because people view it on YouTube, advertisers join in, there's a revenue split. Netflix is probably hoping that when viewers see "special features" on YT, they'll get a Netflix subscription.

Pat Alexander

One never-mentioned contributing factor is that Netflix (and most of the streamers) have made their platforms un-streamable for Apple users with older iOs (operating systems), basically aiding Apple in "brick"-ing older tech. Whereas YouTube (a Google owned company) uses this to their advantage. Even some of the oldest products can still stream YouTube videos. Personally, my laptop - a Macbook bought in 2019 - can no longer stream Netflix, Max, Hulu, et al because my iOs (the latest i can download onto my $2,000 computer) is unsupported by the streamers. But I can watch YouTube on it. Netflix wants more users? They need to stop helping Apple ruin streaming by making the simple process cost prohibitive via requiring the most advanced tech.

Sam Sokolow

I agree with Maurice Vaughan. I think YouTube is too big and accessible, echoing some of the great points on this chain. And now they offer YouTubeTV and the NFLK package, et al. I don't ever see them ceding market share and most teenagers in my family watch YouTube primarily with a side of a Netflix or other every now and then.

Xochi Blymyer

I thought the Premium Price was a bit high so cancelled. Perhaps I am still too old school to watch you tube for my movies and tv. I usually watch some news snippets and to figure out how to do something! But why compete, just do what you do best.

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