YouTube has officially emerged as the world’s largest media company after surpassing entertainment giant Disney in annual revenue for the first time.
According to research firm MoffettNathanson, the Google-owned video platform generated an estimated $62 billion in revenue in 2025, exceeding The Walt Disney Company’s media business, which earned about $60.9 billion during the same period.
The figures reflect a major shift in the global entertainment industry, highlighting the growing audience preference for digital and short-form video content over traditional media platforms.
YouTube’s dominance is driven by multiple revenue streams, with advertising remaining its largest source of income.
The platform generated nearly $40 billion in advertising revenue in 2025, a figure that surpasses the combined ad earnings of major media companies including Disney, NBCUniversal, Paramount Skydance, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
In the final quarter of 2025 alone, YouTube recorded $11.4 billion in advertising revenue, further underlining its growing influence in the media landscape.
Since its launch, the platform has also paid more than $100 billion to content creators, music companies, and media partners, reflecting its central role in the global creator economy.
Commenting on the milestone, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan said leading the platform is a privilege that allows him to combine human storytelling and creativity with cutting-edge technology, which he described as his daily motivation.
