People Watched 700 Million Hours of YouTube Podcasts on TV in October

Bloomberg no paywall: People Watched 700 Million Hours of YouTube Podcasts on TV in October. ” People are spending more time tuning in to podcasts on Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube, and increasingly they’re turning to the biggest screen in their homes: the TV. In October, viewers streamed more than 700 million hours of podcasts on their living room devices, nearly double the amount of time in the same month a year ago. “The living room just continues to be this amazing bright spot in terms of consumption,” said Steve McLendon, head of product for podcasts at YouTube, in an interview. “We knew video would be big for podcasting but it continues to surprise us how big it is. The company invested in tools for discovery and search, particularly for TVs, which propelled this growth, McLendon said. At the same time, people are shifting their viewing habits and turning more frequently to YouTube over competitors from cable to streaming, he said. In November, YouTube garnered 13% of TV viewing across streaming platforms, according to Nielsen, the most of any service including Netflix Inc. Broadcast viewing accounted for 23% of all viewership. McLendon suggested people tune into podcasts in place of daytime or late night TV. “With podcasting and YouTube and discovery on television, there is no limit to potential late night shows,” he said…”

• And the Oscars are moving to YouTube after a half century on ABC. “The Academy Awards will move to Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube service in 2029, ending more than a half century on the ABC network and more than 70 years on broadcast TV. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced Wednesday that the streaming platform will take over the show when the organization’s contract with Walt Disney Co.’s ABC network expires…”