YouTube and Tubi Are Giving Netflix, Disney a Run for Their Money

Amid YouTube’s steady rise as a real competitor in the streaming world, ad-supported FAST channels have also quietly become a thorn in SVODs’ side.

Nielsen unveiled its Media Distributor Gauge last month, a companion to the monthly Gauge report that tallies total TV consumption in the U.S. by parent media company. In a potential surprise to those not chronically online, the new metric placed YouTube second only to Disney for April, outpacing traditional broadcast companies and SVOD giants alike.

That trend continued into May, as YouTube grew its share of TV viewership to 9.7%, while Disney slightly dipped, to 11.4%. Coupled with the fact that YouTube is also continuing its streak as the most used individual streaming platform, it’s clear the UGC pioneer is fully shed of its Camcorder roots in favor of being home to high-caliber creators and potentially Emmy-worthy shows.