Streaming is likely to change dramatically by the end of the 2020s. It’s already gone through a huge transformation in recent decades. At the beginning of the 2000s, most people still watched TV through cable. But when services like Netflix started offering movies and shows online, everything shifted.
It didn’t take long after streaming became popular for the competition to really heat up. Suddenly, it felt like Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and a bunch of other services were constantly battling each other for subscribers. And honestly, despite all the challengers, Netflix has consistently stayed on top – they still have the biggest audience and the most views overall. As a viewer, it’s been interesting to watch, but Netflix continues to be the dominant force.
The first wave of competition between streaming services has shifted, as companies now focus on how to best retain viewers rather than simply gaining new ones. Most people now subscribe to several major streaming platforms, so the focus is on capturing a larger share of their total viewing time. Right now, YouTube is leading the way in this new era of streaming competition.
| US Monthly TV Viewing By Platform (October 2025) According To Nielsen | |
|---|---|
| YouTube | 12.9% |
| Netflix | 8.0% |
| Disney+ | 4.8% |
| Prime Video | 3.8% |
| Roku Channel | 2.8% |
| Tubi | 2.2% |
| Paramount+ | 2.1% |
| Peacock | 1.6% |
| Warner Bros Discovery | 1.3% |
| Other Streaming | 6.3% |
Streaming Platforms May Shift To A More YouTube-Like Model
The way people are watching TV has changed, and surprisingly, YouTube is now ahead of the game. While YouTube didn’t succeed with typical streaming shows, it turns out that nearly 13% of all TV time in the US is spent on the platform – more than Netflix and Disney+ together.
YouTube’s success isn’t based on creating its own movies and shows. Instead, it thrives on videos made by its users – anyone can start a channel and potentially become popular. This unique approach has made YouTube a leading competitor in the streaming market.
Netflix and Disney+ are unlikely to surpass YouTube with their current approach. Therefore, it’s probable that in the future, these streaming services will start to mimic YouTube by allowing users to upload their own videos and share revenue with popular creators.
Regardless Of How The Streaming Wars Change, Traditional Movies & TV Shows Must Be The Priority
Netflix
Allowing users to create and upload their own channels and videos on platforms like Netflix could be a profitable move, but it won’t replace professionally produced movies and TV shows. Instead, high-quality original content – shows like Stranger Things, Wednesday, House of the Dragon, The Bear, Severance, Pluribus, and others – is what will help Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and similar services compete with YouTube if they start using a similar model.
YouTube’s attempt to create original shows wasn’t successful, so it’s unlikely they’ll try that again. However, if other streaming services start offering opportunities for influencers, podcasters, and video creators to earn money, that could become very popular. By 2030, we might see a significant increase in streaming options as other platforms compete with YouTube, but this will likely be alongside the traditional TV shows we already enjoy.
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2025-11-19 04:39