YouTube Turns Five…And Easily Beats Prime Time TV

By Geoff Duncan Published May 17, 2010

Believe it or not, Google’s online video sharing site YouTube is now five years old. Despite being something of a lawsuit magnet for corporate owner Google—and despite the fact Google is still working out exactly how to make money from YouTube—the site nonetheless racks up some impressive stats. According to Google, YouTube is now pushing more than two billion videos per day to Internet users…and that translates to more than double the prime time audience of the three major U.S. broadcast networks.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

“What started as a site for bedroom vloggers and viral videos has evolved into a global platform that supports HD and 3D, broadcasts entire sports seasons live to 200+ countries,” co-founder Chad Hurley wrote in the YouTube blog. “We bring feature films from Hollywood studios and independent filmmakers to far-flung audiences. Activists document social unrest seeking to transform societies, and leading civic and political figures stream interviews to the world.”

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YouTube is launching a “Five Year Channel,” where used can upload videos showing how youTube has changed or impacted their lives.

Despite YouTube’s popularity, Google spent some $1.65 billion to acquire the service way back in 2006…and has yet to make any money off it. However, earlier this year Google CEO Eric Schmidt said 2010 might finally be the year YouTube creeps into profitability.

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