YouTube Has Officially Surpassed Netflix in Viewership

A new report shows that YouTube has overtaken Netflix in total daily viewing time, marking a shift in how people spend their time on streaming platforms. The information comes from research firm Digitall, as reported by Bloomberg.

According to the data, the average user spent about 99 minutes per day on YouTube in 2025. In comparison, Netflix users spent around 93 minutes per day on the platform. This puts YouTube slightly ahead in total daily engagement. The year before, Netflix was still ahead in this category, which shows how quickly viewing habits have changed.

Even though the gap is not large, the result is important because it highlights how dominant YouTube has become in the global entertainment space. The platform continues to grow across all age groups, especially among younger users aged 18 to 24. At the same time, engagement is also rising among viewers over 55, showing that its audience is broad and expanding.

One major reason for YouTube’s lead is its accessibility. Unlike Netflix, YouTube is free to use for most content, which gives it a much larger global audience. Netflix requires a paid subscription, which limits its reach even though it continues to produce popular shows and films.

Netflix still remains a major player in streaming. It continues to release new original series and movies every week and maintains a strong library of content. Some of its biggest titles include Stranger Things, Squid Game, Bridgerton, Wednesday, KPop Demon Hunters, and Carry-On, all of which have reached massive global audiences.

Despite losing the top spot in daily viewing time, Netflix still performs strongly in other areas. The company’s official YouTube channel has over 33 million subscribers, making it one of the largest entertainment channels on the platform. This shows that Netflix still has a strong presence even outside its own service.

The report also points to a wider change in entertainment trends. YouTube is not only competing with streaming platforms but also influencing the film industry. Several recent films that began as YouTube-based projects have gone on to achieve major box office success.

One example is Backrooms, which started as a YouTube series before becoming a feature film. It reportedly earned around 212 million dollars worldwide from a 10 million dollar budget. Another film, Obsession, was created by director Curry Barker, who built a following on YouTube before moving into filmmaking. That project earned around 225 million dollars globally on a budget under 1 million dollars.

These examples show how online creators are now able to transition from YouTube content to major theatrical releases. It also highlights how audiences are increasingly discovering new entertainment through digital platforms rather than traditional studios.

Even with YouTube’s growth, Netflix continues to perform well. The report notes that the difference between the two platforms is still small in daily viewing time. Netflix also benefited from major releases in 2025, including new seasons of Squid Game and Stranger Things, which helped boost its overall numbers.

Looking ahead, Netflix still has upcoming projects that could shift the balance again. Highly anticipated releases like Enola Holmes 3 and Outer Banks season 5 are expected to draw strong audiences.

The latest data shows that both platforms are still growing, but YouTube’s wide reach and free access have helped it take a slight lead in overall daily viewing time. As streaming continues to evolve, competition between platforms is expected to remain strong.

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