YouTube set to become the world's largest media company by revenue

In early 2025, media analyst Michael Nathanson from MoffettNathanson declared that YouTube is on track to surpass Disney, becoming the world's largest media company in terms of revenue. Historical data showed YouTube generated $54.2 billion in revenue in 2024, while Disney's revenue for the same year was $59.7 billion, excluding parks and experiences. Nathanson highlighted YouTube’s advertising revenue, which reached $36.15 billion in 2024, marking a 15% growth year over year. Other revenue streams for YouTube include subscription services like YouTube Premium and YouTube Music, contributing significantly to its financial success. As the years progressed, YouTube's increasing popularity among viewers has been apparent, especially among older adults. A Nielsen report indicated that YouTube held an impressive 11.6% share of total time spent viewing media, leading all companies in this category. Notably, this increase was fueled by a remarkable 96% growth in the viewing habits of adults aged 65 and older. Promising developments for YouTube included a growing base for its subscription model, with the platform reporting over 125 million subscribers across various services. Competition in the pay-TV landscape is intensifying as well, with YouTube TV poised to become the largest pay TV provider in the United States by around 2026. Analysts predict that YouTube TV will have approximately 11.5 million subscribers by 2027. This growth trajectory comes against the backdrop of a broader cord-cutting trend where traditional cable subscriptions are declining, reinforcing YouTube’s emerging dominance. Furthermore, YouTube's acquisition of the NFL Sunday Ticket and its push into live sports streaming promise to attract even more users to its platform. As a leading content creator, YouTube’s top personalities, including MrBeast and Brittany Broski, continue to engage audiences and drive traffic to the platform. With all of these factors combined, Nathanson's forecast indicates that YouTube could reach over $75 billion in revenue by 2027, driven by a mix of advertising and subscription revenues. This trajectory not only signifies the platform's current media prowess but also outlines a significant shift in the media landscape that could alter the traditional hierarchy of media companies big time.