According to MoffettNathanson analyst Michael Nathanson, YouTube is poised to become the world's largest media company by revenue in 2025, exceeding Disney. In 2024, YouTube generated $54.2 billion in revenue, trailing Disney by only $5.5 billion.
YouTube's remarkable growth within 20 years is noteworthy. Google acquired the platform for $1.65 billion in 2006. Nathanson also predicts YouTube TV will become the leading pay-TV provider in the US by 2026.
Nathanson estimates YouTube's valuation as a standalone company to be between $475 billion and $550 billion, comparable to Meta and Netflix.
Unlike traditional media companies, YouTube's dominance isn't attributed to a single program or network. Its vast reach and diverse content make it more akin to a widely used utility.