Netflix Reclaims ‘Biggest Streaming Company’ Title From YouTube (Apples and Oranges Chart of the Day)

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Subscription giant beat ad-supported behemoth in total revenue in Q1, but Google’s platform is now growing faster

Netflix
(Image credit: Netflix)

The oranges have once again usurped the apples.

Alphabet said YouTube generated $6.01 billion in ad revenue in the first quarter, a figure that outstripped its Q1 2020 performance by 49%. But the sales figure fell short of the record $7.16 billion generated in subscription sales by Netflix during the first three months of 2021.

Netflix, which actually slipped behind YouTube in Q4 revenue performance, is once again the biggest company in video streaming, comparing the somewhat asymmetrical base performance of these two very different businesses. 

Also Read: How Does Netflix Remain King As New Competitors Chip Away?

But Google’s ad-supported behemoth is actually growing faster—it's nearly 50% year-over-year expansion beat Netflix's Q1-to-Q1 growth of 23.4%.

Once more, YouTube’s ad revenue growth seems to be accelerating—it grew by nearly 47% on a quarterly basis in Q4.

Parent company Alphabet only started breaking out YouTube sales figures in the fourth quarter of 2019. 

YouTube vs. Netflix

(Image credit: Future)
Daniel Frankel
Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!