I don’t need a fact sheet to tell you that YouTube is a widely used platform for video consumption. From entertainment value to information, YouTube has billions of videos to cater to every person’s needs on the internet. The same domination has been shown by television once. This sparked a debate among viewers about which is best: YouTube vs Television.
Ask yourself how much you pay for a cable connection and how much time you spend watching it. Now, how much do you pay for YouTube, and how many hours do you spend on YouTube? Honestly, unless you’re too irritated with ads, you won’t opt for YouTube Premium.
There are reasons why people are shifting from television to YouTube. There are some nostalgic feelings associated with watching television, but people are opting for YouTube and spending less time watching TV. In this article, we will look at how and why the audience is diverting.
But first, let’s see why
Why The YouTube vs Television Debate Has Grown Exponentially
YouTube was deployed in 2004 and soon became a globally used platform in 2007 when Google Integrated AdSense into it. From advertisers to content consumers, everyone was on the platform. The generation that grew up watching TV transitioned into using the latest gadgets. The most accessible of all was smartphones.
Since smartphones are in everyone’s hands. YouTube is also accessible. Why? Let’s connect the dots. Google owns YouTube. Google owns Android. Statistically speaking, the majority of people worldwide use either Android or iOS. YouTube is a default app on every smartphone.
In the US, the majority of adults use YouTube compared to other social media giants, such as Facebook. YouTube is free and accessible. The platform has content for everyone. Self-help, motivation, news, movie clips, video essays, opinions, etc. You name it, and content is there on the platform.
One feature that made the YouTube vs Television debate one-sided is the scrolling feature. Scrolling on YouTube is easy to navigate content. On the other hand, television is too much labor. Just to get the first glimpse of the TV, you have to wait at least 45 seconds. Secondly, changing channels, jumping to the following content, or switching channels is too hectic compared to scrolling.
The YouTube platform, whether accessed on a smartphone or a TV, offers a seamless user experience. If I have to jot down in simple words why YouTube dominated in the YouTube vs Television debate, it is because:
- Easy to access
- Valuable content is free
- User experience
Let’s discuss each point in detail.
Why YouTube is Preferred Over Television
Let’s see some of the factors that have influenced people to use YouTube over Television.
YouTube is easier to access than television
As we discussed, YouTube is on everyone’s smartphone. It is accessible to everyone, from children to the elderly. The content on the platform is suitable for all age groups. It doesn’t matter what type of device you use, smartphone, tablet, or PC. YouTube can be accessed from all. Even the television itself. YouTube is also available on TV.
The TVs are now available in a new segment, which is Android TV. So YouTube has to be on it. Even the features on YouTube have made everything so easy to navigate. YouTube on TV supports high-quality video formats, including 8K and 4K.
More Valuable content is freely available on YouTube compared to TV
A few decades back, television was a prime source of information and entertainment. People used to watch news, movies, music videos, and dozens of other types of content on television; now, everything has shifted to YouTube. When advertisers try to market or publish their content, they consider the YouTube audience as one of their target audiences.
All the content that used to air on television is now available on YouTube. In fact, they are first deployed for YouTube only. All that content is free to watch; we don’t have to pay anything.
The ad format is the same. The TV also had ads, and YouTube has ads as well. But if we compare Ad relevancy. Then YouTube suggests better ads to us. If you don’t want any ads, you can opt for a premium plan instead. Check out the blog to see if YouTube Premium is worth it.
YouTube connects you with people
In a traditional sense, you gather all your family members and watch your favorite movie or discuss important news while watching TV. However, relevant information on YouTube can now be shared or consumed quickly and easily. You can easily share any video with others, and they can watch it in real-time. TV doesn’t have that liberty. You have to do manual work to save something.
YouTube is Better For Advertising
As I mentioned earlier, ad relevance is effective on YouTube. Google owns YouTube and Android. They collect our data and suggest better ads to us. This eventually leads us to better products. Additionally, the ads are directed specially to us. That means we need them. On TV, you have to see ads, and they are not relevant to you.
The commercials are added between the breaks, and you can’t even skip them. The ads are not for you, still, you have to watch them and can’t skip them. Additionally, there is always a risk of missing out on a crucial moment when you move from one place to another. Which can be stopped or paused on YouTube. Read the blog to understand how YouTube Ads work.
Conclusion
To conclude, the debate between YouTube and television is more a reflection of societal shifts than a debate. People are consuming content more than ever. They want something that is accessible and cost-effective. YouTube is an integral part of our daily lives. If we wish to see a product review, information about a topic, watch news, movies, or anything else, YouTube is a go-to platform. An audience can have a good user experience on YouTube and share content quickly with others. It’s no wonder that YouTube is a part of people’s daily digital landscape. Recently, YouTube updated its polices to promote original and authentic content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is YouTube replacing TV?
Yes, YouTube has surpassed online streaming services in terms of its user base. The traditional cable and broadcasting network is nowhere near.
Q2. What is the difference between YouTube and Television ads?
The ads on YouTube are either skipable or non-skipable, and non-skipable ads are typically 6-15 seconds long. The ads on TV are non-skippable, and viewers must sit through them until the ad segment is complete.
Q3. What is the most-watched video platform?
YouTube is the most-watched video platform. Covering over 95% market share. It also dominated both short and long format videos.
Q4. What is better, Google TV or YouTube?
Google TV is enhancing the traditional cable TV-watching experience with the latest streaming, Smart TV, and video quality features. YouTube is accessible to every person with a smartphone.
Q5. How YouTube took over our television screen?
In the US itself, the gap between TV watchers and YouTube watchers is millions. In fac,t with the rise of smart TV, people prefer watching YouTube on television as well.