According to Screenrant, the iconic streaming pioneer Netflix has officially lost ground, getting outpaced by an absolute titan that operates on a completely different playing field: YouTube. The still-active social media platform launched in 2005, and its video-streaming user base has reached an outstanding 2.70 billion monthly active users worldwide. In the beginning, YouTube was widely known as the main hub for content creators, featuring household names such as Jacksepticeye, Markiplier, and many others who defined an entire era of internet culture.
For a very long time, Netflix has held the top spot within the streaming world for home entertainment, with a wide array of content to pick from, spamming across animes, live-action and many more genres. According to Screenrant, back in 1998, when Netflix was first released, the platform charged its customers for individual DVD rentals, but quickly adapted to becoming subscription-based. The company quickly transitioned to a flat monthly fee for unlimited rentals, eliminating late fees and laying the foundation for its modern streaming service.
Netflix has released some binge-worthy series throughout the years, including Wednesday, Stranger Things, and Bridgerton that have made it one of the most used streaming platforms on the planet, defining modern television culture and keeping subscribers hooked across the globe.
YouTube, as of right now, has evolved from being just an entertainment media platform and has outperformed other famous services such as Disney+, Roku, Paramount+, Tubi, and Peacock. Reported by Screenrant, the numbers between YouTube and Netflix are about neck and neck, with the newly released Nielsen report showcasing that during August 2026, YouTube has accumulated an impressive 15.8% of TV viewing across the United States, while Netflix has seen a staggering decrease, with a mere 7.7% of TV viewing.
Some original series that can be streamed on YouTube range from hit phenomena like Cobra Kai, competition-based shows like Escape the Night, and interactive specials like In Space with Markiplier.
