Social video from platforms like YouTube and TikTok now commands 20% of all viewing time on living room TVs, according to a new report from Parks Associates. The nearly five hours spent watching creator-driven content each week now surpasses time spent on both pay TV and broadcast television, signaling a fundamental shift in home entertainment.
The generational takeover: This trend is fueled by viewers aged 18 to 34, whose social video consumption on TVs now rivals that of streaming giants like Netflix. On mobile devices, this demographic has already made the leap, with a staggering 40% watching more than 15 hours of social video content every week.
YouTube's kingdom: YouTube sits at the center of this shift, leading not only as the top social platform but also as the biggest pay-TV service with more than 9 million subscribers to YouTube TV. Its dominance was cemented in June when it topped Nielsen’s viewing gauge for the fifth straight month, capturing its largest-ever share of TV viewership.
Hollywood calling: The lines between streaming and social media are dissolving as major studios integrate creators into their lineups. High-profile examples include MrBeast’s $100 million deal with Amazon MGM Studios and Fox-owned Tubi’s 2025 launch of a dedicated “Tubi for Creators” hub.
This signals a move toward aggregation, where a platform’s value is defined by its ability to blend different content formats. As Elizabeth Parks of Parks Associates notes, "Platforms are bundling creator-led, studio, and niche content into unified experiences to keep viewers engaged across formats." The industry is taking notice of these trends, which will be the central theme at the upcoming Future of Video conference featuring executives from Comcast, Verizon, and Sling TV.
