According to Google, cable TV is out, YouTube is in, with more and more people visiting the video sharing website every day, which is rapidly growing in popularity. With a variety of videos offered from movie trailers, to clips, to full-length movies, comedy, documentaries and gaming, it’s no surprise that YouTube has overtaken any American cable TV network.
Google reports have drawn statistics and boasted the observation that homepage visits have increased three fold since 2014 and the average viewing session has doubled from 20 minutes to 40 per viewer. And, even more importantly, YouTube seems to have won the popularity contest among the highly coveted demographic of people between the ages of 18 and 49.
This means that people are more likely to visit YouTube’s homepage than turning on their TV. It seems that television has lost a significant amount of ground, particularly among teenagers, with more smart devices gaining internet access and WiFi everywhere.
In fact, the younger generation (between 13 and 18 years old) have claimed, according to a study in 2014, that YouTube stars, otherwise simply known as YouTubers, such as PewDiePie, Jenna Marbles or Smosh are more relatable than celebrities such as Johnny Depp, and thus are more popular. The chances of getting star struck have apparently increased in the younger demographic for YouTubers beyond famous or Oscar-winning actors or actresses.
Around 20% of the same demographic has also deemed it the “coolest” social media network, with Facebook falling on second place with 14%, for once getting only a silver medal.
It proves the drastic expansion of the video sharing website as a social network standing just fine on its own two feet, in spite of Google holding the back of their collar for support. While conducting the study into social media, Global World Index has stated that out of 42,600 adults polled, 84% are regular visitors of YouTube.
The statistics and later reports have opened the possibility of an entirely different market. The company has teased their intention of introducing the pay-for premium version of their services. While YouTube is completely free, Google representatives have claimed to soon tackle the pay-for services as well, taking on market veterans such as Netflix and Hulu. However, it remains to be seen if it will have the power to overthrow the already popular options.
It’s also put into question how many will choose the pay-for premium services, when YouTube is free and doing extremely well for itself without the need of a monthly subscription.
Image source: digitaltrends.comcialis effects
SUnsan says
Too much “Kardashian Krap” on cable.
Noah Name says
Too many damn commercials on Cable
“Welcome back from our break, We’ll be right back”
Gets real old fast.
If you know about adBlock Plus YouTube is completely ad free.