Jordan Bevan
YouTube has overtaken traditional media giants to become the world’s largest media company, according to new estimates from research firm Moffett Nathanson. The Google-owned video platform generated an estimated $62 billion in revenue in 2025, surpassing The Walt Disney Company’s media business, which reported $60.9 billion for the year.
The platform’s advertising revenue alone reached $40.4 billion, exceeding the combined ad earnings of Disney, NBCUniversal, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery, which totaled $37.8 billion. This marks a dramatic shift from 2024, when YouTube’s $36.1 billion in ad revenue lagged behind the combined $41.8 billion of the four major studios.
YouTube’s growth underscores a broader shift in content consumption. Traditional studios face declining linear TV audiences and rising production costs, while digital platforms such as YouTube capture younger viewers and more flexible ad spending. Alphabet, YouTube’s parent company, reported that total revenue from subscriptions and advertising reached $60 billion last year. This includes income from YouTube Premium, YouTube Music, YouTube TV, and NFL Sunday Ticket.
The subscription business has become a critical revenue stream. YouTube TV now boasts around 10 million subscribers, positioning it to rival traditional pay-TV providers in the near future. Meanwhile, the platform has paid out more than $100 billion to creators, music companies, and media partners, reinforcing its role as a major content distributor.
YouTube’s influence extends beyond revenue. The company is investing in artificial intelligence tools, including a new likeness-detection technology aimed at identifying AI-generated deepfakes. The system is currently available to a pilot group of government officials, politicians, and journalists, allowing users to flag and request the removal of misleading content.
Analysts at Moffett Nathanson note that YouTube’s dual position as both a subscription service and a content distributor, combined with ongoing investment in AI, positions it for continued growth. “YouTube is uniquely situated at the intersection of media and technology,” the firm wrote, highlighting the platform’s potential to benefit from structural shifts affecting both tech and media industries.
While YouTube’s ad revenue remains below tech giant Meta’s $196.2 billion in 2025, the platform has become a focal point for advertisers seeking engagement with younger audiences. Fourth-quarter advertising alone generated $11.4 billion, emphasizing the platform’s continued momentum as both a media and technology leader.
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