Video-sharing web platform crushes TV with 1billion hours a day spent on the site
TELEVISION is dead, long live YouTube . . . apparently.
New statistics show the online video platform is crushing good old-fashioned telly in our viewing habits.
The company, owned by Google, has revealed more than a BILLION hours of YouTube are watched every single day around the world — the equivalent of two thousand million episodes of EastEnders in just one day.
In comparison viewers in the UK watch 250million hours of telly every day, while Americans rack up 1.25billion hours.
So what are they watching? For anyone with children, the persistent shriek of vloggers like StampyLongNose and PewDiePie will have them wanting to pull the power cable from the back of the wifi hub.
But there’s actually some great stuff to watch for the more discerning, traditional telly viewer.
So sit back, relax and put down the TV remote for a change.
Here, Sun video guru DEREK BROWN gives you a great guide to what to subscribe to for free on YouTube.
Top channels
These are the YouTube channels that we're all watching. Find out what they're showing here.
TED
Ted is a bit like being back at school – if school was interesting. The public speaking channel has become famous for its quirky and educational talks from some of the most interesting people around the world.
Subscribers: 6.5m
SORTEDFOOD
Four good-looking, chatty lads bring a quirky tone to cooking with tasty dishes such as Pizza Pot Pie and BBQ Stick Meatballs. Plus fun features like FridgeCam make TV cookery shows look as old as Mary Berry.
Subscribers: 1.7m
BRITISH PATHE
From the Hindenburg Disaster to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s win in Mr Universe, watching these clips feels like you’re in a cinema in 1937, complete with plummy voiceover. It’s fascinating how news used to be consumed.
Subscribers: 545k
VSAUCE
Ever wondered when we are going to run out of names or when the universe might end? VSauce tries to explain in a fun way and host Michael Steven makes it feel like Tomorrow’s World on steroids.
Subscribers: 11.7m
SUN DREAM TEAM
The Sun’s Fantasy Football channel has the best footie comedy and banter in the UK. If you love the beautiful game and want to have a good chuckle then it’s well worth subscribing to and sharing with your mates.
Subscribers: 88k
Best clips
Here are the top 30 YouTube moments not to be missed – all collected into one, ultimate video montage.
Top stars
These are the 'YouTubers' that we're all streaming to our devices – along with how much they're earning from our clicks.
SMOSH: EARN £5.7M A YEAR
Ian Hecox, right, and Anthony Padilla are known for slapstick parody videos. They have several channels and an app for videos.
Subscribers: 22m
VANOSSGAMING: EARN £3.3M A YEAR
Vanoss – Evan Fong – posts comedy videos showing him playing video games. Known for his slick editing and sweary shouting.
Subscribers: 20m
NIGAHIGA: WORTH £1.6M
Vlogger Ryan Higa’s quick-fire comedy sketches, music videos and commentaries on pop culture have proved a big hit.
Subscribers: 19m
ZOELLA: WORTH £3M
Brit Zoe Sugg chats about fashion and beauty. Also a best-selling author and has her own bath and beauty product ranges.
Who is Zoella
Subscribers: 11.6m
JENNAMARBLES: WORTH £895K
Her life as a millennial woman, including the video Things Girls Lie About have made Jenna Mourey a huge star in the States.
Subscribers: 16.9m