YouTube Tops 150 Million Paid Subscribers as Ad Revenue Exceeds $11.2 Billion

YouTube has surpassed 150 million subscribers for its Premium and Music services, a figure Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai disclosed on Wednesday during the company's third-quarter earnings call. The milestone marks a clear increase from the 125 million subscribers reported a year ago, although the company does not separate the counts between the two distinct services.

Advertising revenue continued to drive the platform's financial results. YouTube ad sales reached more than $11.2 billion in the quarter, up from $10.3 billion in the same period last year. This figure matches the revenue generated in the second quarter of the current fiscal year.

Philipp Schindler, Google's chief business officer, outlined the company's strategy on the earnings call, describing YouTube as a system built on three interconnected groups: creators, viewers, and advertisers. He stated that the platform is working to reduce friction within each of these areas to maintain momentum.

On the creator side, Schindler pointed to new generative AI tools integrated into YouTube Studio, as well as a conversational editing assistant for Shorts and YouTube Create. He noted that more than 20 million videos are uploaded to the platform every day, providing a constant stream of new content.

For viewers, the company introduced short series through Made on YouTube. This feature allows creators to organize their shorts into seasons and episodes. Schindler explained that sequential playback helps viewers discover new content and continue watching longer sessions.

Monetization remains a central focus, with advertising accounting for a large share of revenue. Schindler noted that living room viewing generated more than one third of total YouTube ad revenue in the third quarter. He also highlighted the continued adoption of demand gen by small and medium advertisers to drive direct response campaigns.

Schindler emphasized that the subscription model offers viewers a choice between standard and premium experiences. He said that as more people choose premium options, it benefits the ecosystem by funding creators and supporting the platform's ongoing development.