YouTube Surpasses Disney as World’s Largest Media Giant With $62.3B Revenue
Key Takeaways
- YouTube generated $62.3B in 2025 revenue, surpassing Disney’s media divisions ($60.9B) to claim the title of world’s largest media company
- As a standalone entity, YouTube would be worth $500B–$560B according to MoffettNathanson — exceeding the combined value of Hollywood’s five major studios
- The platform’s revenue is 50% greater than Netflix, its closest competitor in the streaming landscape
- Subscription services (YouTube TV, Premium, NFL Sunday Ticket) now account for approximately one-third of total revenue
- Alphabet receives a Buy rating from MoffettNathanson with a $350 price target
While the world was scrolling through endless content, YouTube silently achieved a historic milestone: becoming the largest media company globally — and it happened without much fanfare.
According to research from MoffettNathanson, YouTube’s full-year 2025 revenue reached $62.3 billion, narrowly surpassing Disney’s media operations at $60.9 billion. This marks a watershed moment as a tech platform claims the top position in media revenue for the first time.
When Google purchased YouTube in 2006 for $1.65 billion, few could have predicted it would become one of history’s most successful corporate acquisitions.
The platform’s 2025 revenue increased 14% year-over-year, down from 19% growth in 2024. Despite the deceleration, YouTube’s expansion still outperformed most traditional media companies — Fox’s 9% growth rate led the pack among legacy media firms.
While Alphabet disclosed in its Q4 earnings that YouTube “exceeded $60 billion” annually, the company withheld specific figures. MoffettNathanson’s independent research provided the precise revenue data.
Breaking Down the Revenue Dominance
Advertising on YouTube’s free platform contributed over $40 billion to last year’s total. Subscription offerings — YouTube TV, YouTube Premium, and NFL Sunday Ticket — represented nearly one-third of overall revenue.
As an independent business, YouTube would command a valuation between $500B and $560B, representing approximately 8–9x its 2025 revenue, according to MoffettNathanson. This valuation exceeds the combined worth of Disney, Comcast, Warner Bros., Sony, and Paramount Skydance.
Compared to Netflix, the platform generates 50% more revenue — establishing a commanding lead over its nearest streaming competitor.
The Living Room Revolution
Sarandos delivered these remarks during proceedings examining Netflix’s unsuccessful $82.3 billion attempt to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount Skydance eventually secured the deal with a $110 billion proposal.
According to Nielsen’s distributor rankings, YouTube has maintained the highest audience share for 11 straight months through January, capturing 12.5% of total aggregated viewership.
MoffettNathanson observed that even a merged Paramount-Warner Bros. entity would have produced $66.2 billion in 2025 pro forma revenue — though the firm notes YouTube’s superior growth trajectory will likely eliminate this gap quickly.
The research firm also identifies artificial intelligence as a significant growth catalyst. “The continued development of GenAI will help creators produce even more impactful content that will be increasingly better targeted and better monetized,” Nathanson explained.
MoffettNathanson maintains a Buy rating on Alphabet shares with a $350 price target.
The post YouTube Surpasses Disney as World’s Largest Media Giant With $62.3B Revenue appeared first on Blockonomi.
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