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Disney says AI could make QR-code shoppable marketing obsolete: At a TV advertising event, Disney and YouTube shared how AI has already changed their strategies.

YouTube is the top social media platform that US Gen Z consumers turn to for banking information, per our survey.

On today's episode, we discuss why TikTok downgraded its revenue expectations, what concerns us the most about the company, and how big of a digital ad player it can actually become. "In Other News," we talk about YouTube letting folks buy products in Shorts and whether people want to buy things in WhatsApp messages. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Debra Aho Williamson.

On today's episode, we discuss what to make of Google's start to the year, whether it can defend against AI-infused competitors, and how worried we should be about YouTube. "In Other News," we talk about whether ad spending is actually doing just fine and check in on how folks feel about cookies going away. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Evelyn Mitchell.

While YouTube narrowly led Q4 2024 streaming revenues at $10.5 billion, Netflix was close behind at $10.2 billion, ahead of Disney at $6.1 billion. Original content spending plays a key role. Netflix is forecasted to boost its investment to $8.61 billion in 2025, while Disney is set to pull back slightly, per Ampere Analysis. That pivot could widen the gap in both reach and relevance.

Among consumers who use social media for their bank research, YouTube and Facebook remained the top platforms. But Reddit, TikTok, and Snapchat have all seen statistically significant increases in usage since 2023. Physical branches still reign supreme during the purchase stage.

The research used eye-tracking and emotion detection across thousands of ad views in five countries and concluded that 鈥渏oyful鈥� ads on Snapchat correlated with higher attention and long-term brand lift compared to other platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

YouTube continued its success streak, reaching 12% of total TV watch time, up from 11.6% in February. Max saw the highest month-to-month increase among streaming services, climbing 6% in March, largely attributed to the success of 鈥淭he White Lotus.鈥� Disney streaming, including Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, hit 5% of total share, up from 4.8% in February.

YouTube is expected to face downward pressure on CPMs, according to MoffettNathanson, as the connected TV ad market becomes saturated and supply outpaces demand. Embracing flexibility: This isn鈥檛 simply a period of pullback鈥攊t鈥檚 a reordering of priorities. Advertisers are moving toward performance-based channels that can deliver measurable results and adapt in real time.

Sports broadcasts on linear TV networks are streamable through digital pay TV services like Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV. Paramount+, Peacock, and Max also simulcast CBS, NBC, and TNT/TBS/truTV live events, respectively. YouTube TV is home to NFL Sunday Ticket. ESPN is launching a flagship streaming service in fall 2025.

YouTube needs to be a priority. 鈥淚 don't think we're talking about YouTube enough,鈥� said Josh Rosenberg, CEO and co-founder of Day One Agency. 鈥淪howing up on that platform in the right way can be a big lift, but it鈥檚 where millions are engaged, especially next-gen consumers. It鈥檚 TV for an entire generation and opens up a world of creative possibility.鈥�.

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