YouTube posted impressive numbers in 2025.
According to new estimates from research firm Moffett Nathanson — as it reports The Hollywood Reporter — the platform brought in an impressive $40.4 billion in ad revenue, which is more than the combined ad revenue of Disney, NBC, Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD’s), which totaled $37.8 billion.
This shift is a clear sign of how much content consumption has changed over the years and how advertisers have adapted their strategies.
YouTube’s ad revenue for 2025 not only surpassed the combined revenue of Hollywood’s four major studios, but also marked a huge rebound from the previous year. In 2024, YouTube’s $36.1 billion in ad revenue fell short of the $41.8 billion in ad revenue earned by Disney, NBCU, Paramount and WBD collectively. The tables have now turned.
For decades, these studios were the kings of entertainment, captivating audiences with big-budget films and television hits. But as traditional studios struggle with shrinking linear TV audiences and ever-increasing production costs, YouTube is moving fast. Even as these companies pour millions into their own streaming platforms, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with YouTube’s momentum.
Last month, parent company Alphabet reported 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. (For context, that’s way above what Netflix reported $45.2 billion for the whole year.)
Disney, NBC, Paramount and WBD also depend heavily on subscriptions. For example, Disney’s media business brought in $60.9 billion in total revenue last year, when you include subscriptions.
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That said, YouTube’s ad revenue still lags behind tech giants like Afterwhich generated $196.2 billion in ad revenue in 2025. However, advertisers are flocking to YouTube because that’s where audiences (especially younger viewers) spend their time. YouTube’s ad revenue hit $11.4 billion in the fourth quarter.
YouTube is also ramping up its investments in artificial intelligence. This week, the company announced that it is expanding its similarity detection technology to a pilot group of government officials, politicians and journalists. The technology identifies AI-generated deepfakes and allows users to request removal if they believe it violates YouTube policy.
