YouTube Overtakes Disney — With AI as Its Secret Weapon
YouTube just turned 20, and it’s no longer the place for shaky home videos. With 2.7 billion users worldwide, the platform has grown into the biggest stage for creators, brands, and even global stars like Dua Lipa.
Start with the big shift: YouTube is about to surpass Disney in media revenue, and AI is at the heart of its strategy. Highlight that YouTube is no longer just a platform for funny cat videos, it’s now shaping the future of entertainment.
YouTube vs Disney: A New Media Leader
For decades, Disney has been the giant of global entertainment. But according to Nielsen, things are shifting fast:
- In July 2025, YouTube captured 13.4% of U.S. viewership, compared to Disney’s 9.4%.
- Analysts at MoffettNathanson predict YouTube’s 2025 revenue will surpass Disney’s $60 billion in media earnings.
- Alphabet (Google’s parent company) has already disclosed in its quarterly results that YouTube’s ad + subscription revenue hit $50 billion in the last four quarters.
The message is clear: YouTube is becoming the world’s top media company.
How Did We Get Here? A Quick Look at YouTube’s Journey
When YouTube launched in 2005, it was a simple platform for uploading and sharing videos. Google saw the potential and acquired it for $1.65 billion in 2006, one of the smartest deals in tech history.
Key milestones that fueled YouTube’s rise:
- 2007: Launch of the YouTube Partner Program, allowing creators to earn money from ads.
- 2015: The debut of YouTube Red (later YouTube Premium), introducing paid subscriptions.
- 2017: Launch of YouTube TV, bringing live TV streaming into the mix.
- 2020s: The rise of YouTube Shorts, competing with TikTok.
- 2023–2025: Integration of AI-powered creator tools.
Each step expanded YouTube’s ecosystem and made it harder for traditional studios to compete.
AI as the Secret Weapon
At its Made on YouTube event, CEO Neal Mohan revealed the platform’s future playbook: AI-powered tools for creators.
These tools will help with:
- Editing & production → faster, cleaner workflows.
- Content ideas → AI suggestions for scripts, topics, and visuals.
- Global reach → features like instant dubbing into multiple languages.
Mohan stressed that AI isn’t here to replace people:
“These are tools, and really just that. No studio, network, or AI tool will own the future of entertainment.”
Instead, AI is there to make video creation more accessible, creative, and scalable.
Disney vs YouTube: Two Different Models
Disney’s model is studio-driven. It relies on billion-dollar budgets, film franchises, and global distribution.
YouTube’s model is creator-driven. It thrives because anyone can upload, experiment, and build an audience.
| Feature | Disney | YouTube |
| Content creation | Studios + professionals | Anyone with a camera & internet |
| Revenue source | Box office, TV, theme parks, ads | Ads, Premium subscriptions, Super Chat, Brand deals |
| Scale | Limited by production time & cost | Infinite, creator-driven uploads daily |
| AI integration | Early experiments (e.g., Pixar AI) | Core strategy for creators |
Creators Are the New Celebrities
Forget late-night TV. The new stars are YouTubers like Mark Rober, Smosh, Brandon B., and even chart-topping artists like Dua Lipa.
- Many creators now rival Hollywood actors in followers and influence.
- YouTube careers are seen as viable, respectable, and sustainable.
- Fans get a more direct, authentic connection compared to polished studio content.
This is why AI tools are so powerful: they allow creators of all sizes to compete with traditional studios.
Why Businesses Should Care?
It’s not just creators who benefit. Small businesses and brands can now use YouTube as a core marketing channel.
- A bakery in New York can use AI dubbing to reach Spanish or Japanese audiences.
- A SaaS startup can use AI editing tools to push out consistent product demos.
- Local businesses can rank on YouTube search just like they do on Google.
According to HubSpot, video is now the #1 most effective type of content for brand discovery. With AI lowering barriers, businesses that ignore YouTube risk falling behind.
Why This Matters for the Future of Content?
- Democratization of media → anyone with talent + AI tools can build a global audience.
- Brands and small businesses can now use YouTube as a main marketing channel, not just paid ads.
- AI as a creative partner → not replacing creators, but enhancing what’s possible.
In other words, YouTube + AI = the next 20 years of entertainment.
Opportunities and Challenges
Opportunities
- Democratization of media → Anyone can compete, not just big studios.
- Global reach → Instant translation + AI dubbing.
- Efficiency → Faster production cycles = more content.
Challenges
- Ethical concerns → AI-generated deepfakes, copyright issues.
- Creator anxiety → Fear of being replaced or overshadowed.
- Saturation → With so much content, discoverability remains tough.
Final Takeaway
YouTube’s rise over Disney marks the beginning of a new era: one where AI-powered creators lead the entertainment industry.
For creators, this is the best time to start experimenting with YouTube’s AI tools. For businesses, it’s a reminder to take video seriously as a core part of strategy.
And for viewers? Expect more diverse, creative, and innovative content than ever before.
