YouTube surpasses Disney, Paramount, WBD in 2025 advertising

YouTube has hit impressive numbers in 2025.

According to a new estimate from the research firm MoffettNathanson- as he said The Hollywood Reporter– the platform pulled in more than $40.4 billion in advertising revenue, which is more than Disney, NBC, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery.

This change is a clear sign of how much content has been used over the years and how marketers have changed their strategies.

YouTube’s 2025 ads not only increased the number of Hollywood’s four major studios, but also marked a significant change from last year. In 2024, YouTube’s $36.1 billion in ad revenue dwarfs the $41.8 billion in ad revenue earned by Disney, NBCU, Paramount, and WBD. The tables have now turned.

Over the years, these studios have become the kings of entertainment, attracting audiences with big budget movies and TV shows. But as traditional studios grapple with declining TV viewership and ever-increasing prices, YouTube is making headway. Although these companies are pouring millions into their respective platforms, it is difficult to keep up with the growth of YouTube.

Last month, parent company Alphabet said that YouTube’s total revenue in 2025 would rise to $60 billion. A large portion of YouTube’s revenue now comes from subscriptions, which include services like YouTube TV, YouTube Premium, YouTube Music, and NFL Sunday Ticket. (Incidentally, that’s more than what Netflix said $45.2 billion for the whole year.)

Disney, NBC, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is a business that relies heavily on subscriptions; Disney’s media business generated $60.9 billion in revenue last year, when you include subscriptions, for example.

That said, YouTube’s ad revenue still lags behind tech giants like Trimwhich pulled in $196.2 billion in ad revenue in 2025. However, advertisers are flocking to YouTube because that’s where audiences (especially younger viewers) are spending their time. YouTube’s ad revenue reached $11.4 billion in the fourth quarter.

YouTube is also increasing its investment in AI. This week, the company he announced that it is developing its ability to identify the comparisons of the steering group of government officials, politicians, and journalists. The technology identifies AI-generated content and allows users to request that it be removed if they believe it violates YouTube’s policies.