
YouTube Ranks No. 1 in Yet Another Entertainment Arena
By Movieguide® Contributor
YouTube has become the king of another content area. A new report shows that the video platform has become the premiere destination for podcast listeners.
A report from New Jersey-based firm Edison Podcast Metrics found that 31% of podcast listeners turn to YouTube as their primary source for the content, compared to 27% choosing Spotify and 15% turning to Apple Podcasts.
“A few years ago, YouTube might have seemed like an unlikely platform for podcasts. But as the world of podcasting evolves, many podcasters have embraced video podcasting, recording their shows in both audio and video formats,” Edison wrote in its report.
“Not only can podcast consumers listen to episodes, but they can also watch video versions of their favorite shows. As video and audio content continue to overlap, creators and listeners are benefiting from more dynamic and engaging experiences,” the explanation continued.
The value that video adds to podcasts has been known by Spotify for years. It previously looked into creating visual media to help promote its most popular podcasts.
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As for YouTube, this news adds to its plethora of laurels as it continues to disrupt even the most established entertainment companies. For nearly two years it has reigned as the most popular streaming service, and its unparalleled quantity of children’s content recently caused both a Cartoon Network-based and Nickelodeon-based streaming service to shut down.
Children predominantly fuel this mass flocking to YouTube, but the platform has added content for adults as well. Perhaps the most impactful addition to the site was NFL Sunday Ticket, which allows users to view all out-of-market, regular-season NFL games. The addition of live sports helped the platform top $50 billion in revenue this year for the first time.
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