YouTube turns 20: UAE, Egypt, Saudi see big increase in number of channels earning 7 figures
About $70 billion have been paid out to creators, artists, and media companies over the last three years, according to YouTube, which just celebrated its 20th anniversary with more than 20 billion videos being uploaded to the platform since the first clip debuted in April 2005.
In the Mena region, YouTube said there has been a significant increase in channels making 7 figures or more in revenues year-on-year on the platform in the UAE, KSA, and Egypt.
The moment underscores YouTube's role in fostering creative entrepreneurship and shaping entertainment across the region.
As of December 2024, the number of channels earning 7 figures (1,000,000) or more in Saudi riyal increased by 40 per cent as compared to 2023. Egypt also saw a 60 per cent increase in channels reaching 7-figure annual revenues in Egyptian pound, while the UAE experienced a 15 per cent growth in dirhams during the same period. YouTube did not reveal the real numbers but only showed the percentage increase.
In 2010, YouTube launched its Arabic-language user interface to help more people from across the region to share their voice with the world. Two years later, in 2012, the social media platform launched the YouTube Partner Programme in MENA to help creators earn a living by doing what they love.
Javid Aslanov, head of YouTube in MENA, said in a statement sent to Khaleej Times: "We celebrate the phenomenal work of creators across MENA and their role in driving the region's popular culture. These creative entrepreneurs skillfully leveraged YouTube's diverse formats to share their voices and also build thriving businesses that reach global audiences.'
He noted YouTube has provided a platform for diverse voices from pioneering Saudi comedy shows like Hatoon Kadi's Noon Niswa and the animated Masameer to Mohamed Abdelhafez's World of Agriculture whose agricultural tips have amassed over 102 million views to date.
'Some of the region's most iconic moments took place on YouTube – from Queen Rania of Jordan's receipt of the YouTube Visionary Award, to the Harlem shake at the Pyramids of Egypt, AboFlah's fundraiser for refugees, and Thamanyah's Guinness Record breaking podcast episode about relationships,' he added.
YouTube also revealed more than 95 per cent of watch time for content from channels in the UAE came from outside the country, alongside over 60 per cent for content produced by channels in Egypt. 'The diversity of content reflects the richness of MENA's stories and culture and in turn, the platform's reach,' Aslanov noted.
Meanwhile, one of the first videos uploaded to YouTube from MENA was a video of a festival in Morocco posted 19 years ago. Take a look at it here:
YouTube says that it now sees an average of some 20 million videos uploaded daily – from concert clips, tutorials, podcasts to political ads, celebrations, and more.
The platform reached more than 2.5 billion viewers globally last year, and hit 100 million subscribers to its music and premium tier, according to market tracker Statista.
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