YouTube leads US TV viewing in July as streaming nears half of total

YouTube led US television viewing in July with a 13.4 percent share, extending its six month streak as the top media distributor and widening the gap over Disney, which posted 9.4 percent. Netflix followed at 8.8 percent, as streaming collectively accounted for nearly half of all TV viewing for the month. The latest Nielsen gauge measures viewing across broadcast, cable and streaming on television screens, and the July results underscore a continued shift toward digital platforms even as legacy outlets remain significant in the balance of power among distributors.

YouTube’s month over month gain, the largest monthly rise in the series, came as the platform strengthened its hold on viewers across demographics. Disney, while still second, recorded the steepest decline among major players for July, dipping 0.6 percentage points from June. Netflix was the standout in growth among the streaming players, adding 0.3 points to reach 8.8 percent and benefiting from what observers described as the strongest month of viewing momentum across all age groups. The Roku Channel also posted a notable rise, climbing 7.5 points month over month to reach 2.8 percent.