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· Posted on
February 21, 2024

YouTube will stream more than 4,000 TV shows for free in the US

Streaming wars = out. Free streaming wars = IN. And YouTube's just enteredthe battleground.

What's the key learning?

  • YouTube's adding 4,000 free ad-supported TV shows to its platform, starting in the US
  • Free ad-supported TV (FAST) platforms are rapidly growing in popularity
  • As of December 2021, 18% of US households now use at least one FAST service
  • YouTube's move shows they could be here to stay.

Background: If you've ever fallen far enough down a YouTube rabbit hole, you've probably realised there a full movies streamed there - for free. Legally Blonde, anyone?

What happened: Now, it's upping the stakes, adding 4,000 free TV shows - starting in the US. But, you'll have to sit through a few ads.

What else: This takes YouTube head-to-head with free streaming platforms like Roku Channel and IMDb TV. Streaming wars = out. Free streaming wars = IN.

🔔 What's the key learning?

💡Free ad-supported TV (FAST) platforms are rapidly growing in popularity. And YouTube's move shows they could be here to stay.

💡 Between 2020 and 2021, streaming platforms like Disney+ and Netflix saw some serious growth. But as of December 2021, 18% of US households now use at least one FAST service.

💡Those who invested in FAST early are seeing massive benefits. Paramount's Pluto TV now brings in over US$1 billion a year. Now we're just waiting on YouTube to bring the FAST wave to Oz!

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