Why Older Viewers Are Embracing YouTube: Revisiting Favorite Shows

Many people ask me what I’m watching these days as a TV critic, wondering if they should be watching it too. Lately, I’ve been enjoying an in-depth revisit of the fantastic period mob drama Peaky Blinders. It’s a show I didn’t plan on talking about professionally but got drawn back to because of YouTube’s recommendations.

When I’m in the mood for something intriguing, I turn to YouTube on my Apple TV to find a wide array of videos that catch my eye. From drumming tutorials to interviews with Neal Brennan and Conan O’Brien, the algorithm serves up content that piques my interest. One day, a suggested video showcasing the coolest storylines from Peaky Blinders’ Season 3 on the show’s official YouTube channel caught my attention. This led me down a rabbit hole of watching the best moments from the series and eventually diving into it on Netflix from the beginning.

Nielsen’s latest analysis shows that YouTube was the most-watched media platform in February, outperforming major organizations like Disney, Fox, and Netflix. Interestingly, viewership on YouTube has seen a significant increase among older viewers, with a spike of 62% in the 50-64 age group and 96% in those over 65 since February 2023. Who says older folks can’t navigate the online world?

Although YouTube stopped producing original content years ago, its viewership numbers surpass platforms that invest billions in new programming. My own experiences showcase how YouTube can drive viewers to content on other platforms, like my rewatch of The Wire, The Sopranos, The West Wing, and ER after watching well-curated clips on YouTube.

Recently, I’ve been catching up on clips from After Midnight, a CBS comedic game show I’ve only watched on YouTube. The show, hosted by Taylor Tomlinson, is ending after her decision to focus on stand-up comedy touring. The network’s choice to discontinue the show despite approving a third season may hint at struggles in broadcast ratings.

This situation highlights a challenge for the conventional late-night TV landscape: while shows aim for social media buzz to engage younger viewers, their revenue comes from traditional commercials on cable and broadcast TV. YouTube clips need to drive viewers to other monetized platforms like Netflix or HBO Max, as they did with me and Peaky Blinders and The Wire. The instant gratification of watching shows on YouTube poses a compelling argument against the future of late-night shows on traditional television.