YouTube’s CEO, Neal Mohan, has announced that TV screens have become the most popular device for watching YouTube in the United States, surpassing mobile devices.
In a blog post, Mohan states:
“TV has surpassed mobile and is now the primary device for YouTube viewing in the U.S. (by watch time), and according to Nielsen, YouTube has been #1 in streaming watch time in the U.S. for two years.”
Data shows that viewers consume over one billion hours of YouTube content daily on TV screens.
Mohan attributes this growth to YouTube’s integration with smart TVs and streaming devices.
This marks a significant shift in audience behavior, presenting an opportunity to take advantage of new ad formats.
What This Means For Marketers
Fresh Advertising Opportunities
YouTube’s audience is moving towards television, which offers different advertising options and ways to engage viewers.
Marketers can take advantage of this changing viewer behavior in the following ways:
QR Codes on TV: Showing a QR code during a video or ad lets viewers scan it with their phones, linking big-screen watching with mobile actions.
Pause Ads: When viewers pause a video, advertisers can show targeted messages on the screen, capturing attention without interrupting the show.
Second Screen Experiences: YouTube is testing features that let viewers interact with TV content using their phones. This allows them to leave comments, share videos, or make purchases while watching.
These tools can improve viewer engagement and help measure results.
Unlike traditional TV ads, which don’t allow for immediate interaction, these digital options give brands a new way to connect with their audience.
Strategic Considerations
Longer Watch Times
Viewers spend more time watching YouTube on TV than on mobile devices, which can lead to deeper engagement with ads and branded content.
Big-Screen Mindset
Advertising for YouTube consumption on TV requires high production quality to achieve a broadcast-like feel. Marketers should consider the advantages of creating content designed for a living room environment.
Measuring Performance
As technology advances, tracking conversions across multiple devices (TV and mobile) may become increasingly complex. Implementing cross-platform analytics and attribution models will be essential.