Hey Legends
It’s official. YouTube is no longer just a mobile platform, it’s now the main event on your TV.
The Stats:
1 Billion hours/day watched on living room TVs
100M+ paid subscribers across premium tiers
That’s more viewership than Disney across broadcast and streaming combined.
“Our goal is for the YouTube app to be people’s way into as much of the universe of video content that exists on the internet as can be.”
It’s working. With so many creators making high-quality, long-form videos, the platform has become the gateway to the internet’s full video universe, all from the couch.
Why Is This Happening Now?
YouTube’s takeover of the TV screen is no fluke. It’s the result of smart tech, evolving habits, and creator-driven innovation.
Smart TVs are now standard. YouTube is built into nearly every modern TV. No casting, no setup. It’s often the first app people open, like flipping on a default channel.
The YouTube TV app got a serious glow-up. You can now browse without stopping playback, read comments on-screen, and switch profiles easily, making it feel like Netflix, but with endless content.
Longer, higher-quality content rules. Creators are producing longer episodes, podcasts, documentaries, and livestreams. Content made for the couch.
Massive uploads + immersive formats. Verified users can now upload videos up to 12 hours long, giving creators space to build shows, livestreams, or doc-style content without compromise. Add in TV-friendly formats like QR code ads (scan with your phone to shop or learn more) and pause ads (which appear only when you hit pause), and YouTube starts to feel less like a website, and more like a premium broadcast network.
Genres made for the big screen are booming. Sports, self-care, education, and podcasts are all seeing huge growth. Viewers aren’t just watching, they’re leaning in to learn, relax, and connect.
YouTube, But Smarter
As YouTube takes over the living room, it’s evolving to meet a more engaged, TV-first audience:
AI-powered ad breaks. Ads now appear at natural pauses, making them feel smoother and less jarring. More like a streaming service than social media.
“Shows” mode. Multi-part content is now grouped and plays like a proper series, with autoplay, smart recs, and seamless bingeing.
In-app network subscriptions. You can now subscribe to platforms like HBO Max or NBA League Pass within YouTube. No app-hopping required.
A shift in viewing culture. Viewers who grew up on YouTube are now watching with partners or kid/s. It’s social, relaxed, and feels more like traditional TV, but on demand.
🎬 Mastering YouTube for the big screen (and beyond)
With YouTube now firmly planted in living rooms around the world, it’s the perfect moment to spotlight our Screen Tasmania x Changer Creator Masterclass Series.
This workshop series is all about helping creators navigate YouTube as part of a broader creative strategy. Whether you're building across multiple platforms or shifting from more traditional media.
Our cohort will walk away with:
A clearer understanding of where YouTube fits in your creative ecosystem
Practical ways to approach the platform with purpose
Tools to turn YouTube into a powerful, intentional piece of your content puzzle
We’re super excited to see what comes out of this 3-part workshop series and a huge shout out to our partner Screen Tasmania! 🥳
YouTube’s not just part of the TV experience, it is the TV experience now.
Creators who lean in will stand out on the biggest screen in the house. Now all you have to do is hold off fighting for the remote
Cheers!
The Changer Team
Keen to learn more about our current and upcoming programs?