We all know that people of different ages watch different things. But how do we decide if someone prefers Netflix or YouTube?
New survey data from Publisher’s Clearing House suggests that age 45 is significant. People under 45 prefer using a connected TV (CTV) for YouTube, while those over 45 prefer Netflix. Among the younger group, 35.2% watch YouTube monthly compared to 33.6% for Netflix. In contrast, among those 45 and older, 28.4% use Netflix on CTVs compared to 22.2% for YouTube.
What makes the apps different in viewers’ eyes?
Regardless of how it’s looked at, YouTube and Netflix are still the top two streaming apps. They just switch places depending on the age group.
The data doesn’t show what caused the difference, but it might be that older viewers prefer Netflix’s professionally curated content over YouTube’s diverse range of videos, which can vary from cat videos to conspiracy theories all on the same platform.
- Paramount+, HBO Max, and other streaming services were also considered.
- Viewers of all ages shared similar habits, except for their preference between YouTube and Netflix.
- For both age groups, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+ were popular choices, likely because they offer diverse content appealing to different audiences.
- Paramount+ ranked similarly for both groups, likely because of its variety of family-friendly content.
- The significant change between age groups, besides the top-ranked app, was the popularity of HBO Max.
About 19% of viewers under 45 watched it monthly, while only 13.3% of older viewers did. This might be because HBO Max focuses on content appealing to younger audiences, like “Euphoria” and “The Last of Us” video game adaptation.
YouTube is reportedly planning to introduce a free ad-supported TV channel, offering premium content around the clock, including Lionsgate movies. This move could make YouTube a more appealing option for older individuals who currently watch popular Netflix content.
What’s Next?
It seems like YouTube and Netflix are battling it out for viewers’ attention, especially among different age groups. The data shows a clear divide, with younger folks favoring YouTube on connected TVs, while older ones lean towards Netflix. Other streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ are also popular across the board. However, HBO Max seems to be gaining traction, especially with the younger crowd. With YouTube’s plans for a free ad-supported TV channel, the competition is heating up.
