YouTube is on the verge of becoming the largest media company globally, with a staggering revenue of $54.2 billion in 2024, just behind Disney. Analyst Michael Nathanson predicts that by 2025, YouTube will surpass Disney, solidifying its dominance in the media landscape. Although some might argue that Google or Meta should be considered larger due to their overall ad revenues, YouTube's user engagement and advertising growth are undeniable. It commands significant attention across demographics, making it a vital platform for advertisers. Moreover, YouTube TV is expected to become the largest pay-TV provider in the U.S. by 2026, as it continues to gain subscribers while competitors lose theirs. Nathanson estimates YouTube's standalone value could reach between $475 billion and $550 billion, placing it between Meta and Netflix. Essentially, YouTube operates like a utility—ubiquitous and essential—yet its vast scale is often underestimated.
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