# YouTube topped US TV viewing as free streaming services gained share

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-most-popular-streaming-platforms-in-the-us-might-not-be-what-you-think/
- Published: 2026-10-26T23:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T23:37:31+00:00
- Original publisher: Engadget
- Original article: https://www.engadget.com/2295216/most-popular-streaming-platforms-united-states-not-what-you-think/
- Topics: Americas, Entertainment, TV, World

## Key points

- YouTube led US TV streaming with a 14.2 per cent share.
- Free services Roku Channel and Tubi beat several paid rivals.
- Nielsen’s figures track TV viewing, not subscriptions or phone use.

## Summary

YouTube was the most-watched streaming platform on US televisions in July 2026, ahead of Netflix, while free services The Roku Channel and Tubi also outperformed some major subscription rivals. The figures show how much viewing time is going to ad-supported platforms, but they measure TV use rather than subscribers or viewing on phones.

Nielsen’s Gauge put YouTube at 14.2 per cent of television viewing and Netflix at 7.8 per cent; streaming made up 49 per cent of all TV time. Disney’s services together had a 4.7 per cent share, followed by Prime Video at 4.2 per cent, The Roku Channel at 2.9 per cent, Peacock at 2.6 per cent, Paramount’s services at 2.2 per cent, Tubi at 2 per cent and Warner Bros. Discovery’s services at 1.4 per cent. The figures precede Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox’s proposed roughly $22 billion purchase of Roku.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.