YouTube expected to overtake Disney, Paramount, and WBD in advertising revenue by 2025

YouTube Surpasses Major Media Companies in 2025 Ad Revenue

In 2025, YouTube achieved remarkable financial milestones, outpacing some of the world’s most established media giants.

Fresh analysis from MoffettNathanson reveals that YouTube generated $40.4 billion in advertising revenue. This figure exceeds the combined ad earnings of Disney, NBC, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), which together brought in $37.8 billion.

This dramatic shift underscores the transformation in how people consume media and how brands are shifting their advertising strategies to keep up.

Not only did YouTube’s ad revenue eclipse the total from these four Hollywood powerhouses, but it also marked a significant reversal from the previous year. In 2024, YouTube’s $36.1 billion in ad sales lagged behind the $41.8 billion amassed by Disney, NBCU, Paramount, and WBD. Now, YouTube has taken the lead.

For years, these traditional studios dominated the entertainment landscape with blockbuster movies and popular TV series. However, as linear television viewership declines and production expenses soar, YouTube is pulling ahead. Even as these companies invest heavily in their own streaming services, keeping pace with YouTube’s rapid growth is proving challenging.

Alphabet, YouTube’s parent company, recently reported that the platform’s total revenue soared to $60 billion in 2025. A significant share now comes from subscriptions, including offerings like YouTube TV, YouTube Premium, YouTube Music, and NFL Sunday Ticket. For comparison, Netflix posted $45.2 billion in revenue for the same period.

It’s worth noting that Disney, NBC, Paramount, and WBD also rely heavily on subscription income. For example, Disney’s media division reported $60.9 billion in total revenue last year, factoring in subscriptions.

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Despite these achievements, YouTube’s ad revenue still falls short of tech titans like Meta, which reported $196.2 billion in ad sales for 2025. Nevertheless, advertisers are increasingly drawn to YouTube, especially as younger audiences spend more of their time on the platform. In the final quarter alone, YouTube’s ad revenue reached $11.4 billion.

YouTube is also ramping up its efforts in artificial intelligence. The company recently introduced expanded AI-powered likeness detection, now piloting with politicians, government officials, and journalists. This technology helps identify deepfakes and allows users to request removal if the content violates YouTube’s guidelines.