YouTube says more than 20 billion videos uploaded in 20 years
The YouTube logo is seen outside the company's corporate headquarters in San Bruno, California, on April 23, 2025. YouTube turned 20 years old and is on track to become the biggest media company by revenue at US$550bil. — AFP
SAN BRUNO, United States: YouTube on April 23 celebrated more than 20 billion videos being uploaded to the platform since the first clip debuted two decades ago.
The online video-sharing platform has evolved from a dinner party lark into a modern lifestyle staple poised to overtake US cable television in paid viewership.
PayPal colleagues Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim conceived YouTube in 2005, reportedly during a dinner party. The domain YouTube.com launched on Valentine's Day that year.
Video uploading capabilities were added on April 23, when Karim posted the first video, titled "Me at the Zoo." The 19-second clip showing Karim at the San Diego Zoo's elephant exhibit has garnered 348 million views.
Over the next 20 years, the site expanded beyond what was imagined possible back in 2005.
YouTube says that it now sees an average of some 20 million videos uploaded daily.
The platform hosts everything from concert clips and podcasts to political ads, tutorials and much more.
YouTube has become the world's largest digital video service in terms of time spent by viewers and ad revenue, according to eMarketer analyst Ross Benes.
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.
YouTube is projected to surpass all US cable television services in paid subscribers within two years, according to Benes.
Users worldwide watch more than a billion hours of YouTube content daily on television sets alone, Google reported.
YouTube said it will upgrade its TV viewing experience this summer with improved features and "quality tweaks", though it did not provide further details.
"If you go back 20 years, it would have seemed laughable that this website with kids making parody videos would become a threat to Disney, ABC, and CBS," Benes said.
"That's what they were able to accomplish."
Analysts consider Google's 2006 purchase of YouTube for US$1.65bil in stock a pivotal moment, combining Google's search and advertising expertise with a video-sharing platform that had passionate users.
Google used its advertising know-how to build a successful model, sharing revenue with creators who attracted significant audiences.
The company enhanced technology and negotiated with studios to address copyright violations on what was once considered the Wild West of video content.
YouTube also worked its way past concerns that disturbing content, like parody videos of popular cartoon characters in violent or risque situations, were being served up to children by its recommendation software.
The platform now competes with streaming services like Netflix, Disney, and Amazon Prime, as well as short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram's Reels. – AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rakyat Post
2 hours ago
- Rakyat Post
New To Pickleball? Here's How To Not Look Like You Just Googled The Rules
Subscribe to our FREE Trying a new sport is already stress-inducing. And like me, if you're not exactly a social butterfly, trying it in front of actual people ? Even worse. Whether you're joining a casual game or rolling up to Julie's Pickleball Party (more deets below!), this guide is your no-BS crash course to not looking like you just crawled out of a 'How to Pickleball' YouTube rabbit hole. We've got you covered with the absolute basics, minus the jargon. So you can walk in cool, swing confidently, and not whack your partner in the face. (We believe in you.) 🥒 Pickleball 101 (aka: What Even Is Going On) TRP. TRP. The 'Kitchen' Isn't for Standing In. There's a 7-foot zone on both sides of the net called the non-volley zone , but everyone just calls it the 'kitchen.' You can't hit the ball out of the air while standing in it. Step in = fault. Think of it like lava. Respect the lava. Serving: Where, When, How? Serve diagonally , underhand (no, really), and keep both feet behind the baseline. The first team to serve only gets one chance, then it goes to the other side. After that, it's two chances per team (except at the start of the game). Let the Ball Bounce – At First. After the serve, each side must let the ball bounce once before hitting it. No smashing it back straight away! This 'double bounce rule' keeps it fair and stops the game from turning into a tennis-style power match. Scoring Isn't That Deep, But It's Weird. Only the serving team can score points. Games are usually played to 11, and you've got to win by 2. When calling the score, say: your team's score , opponent's score , and whether you're server 1 or 2 (e.g. '4-2-1'). Feels like maths, but you'll get the hang of it. Don't Whack Your Partner. Rule of thumb: if the ball's in the middle, yell 'mine' or 'yours' like your relationship depends on it. Communication = everything. 😎 Fake It 'Til You Make It TRP. TRP. Confidence is 50% of the game. The other 50%? Snacks (Don't quote us on that). BUT, lucky for you, Julie's is fueling champions with their new Sweet Chilli Cheese Sandwich and Sour Cream & Onion Sandwich biscuits, featuring: Tangy sour cream + aromatic onion. Creamy cheese with a sweet chilli kick. Protein-packed. Low in trans fats & cholesterol. Non-GMO, a.k.a. Good Mood Only. 🏓 The Real Serve: Julie's Where Flavour Meets Your Game TRP. Julie's Biscuits. 📍 Location: Sunway Pyramid, Blue Concourse 📆 Date: 12 – 15 June 2025 Here's what's happening: Biscuits for sale & free sampling (FREE SNACKS). Interactive games & photo ops for your IG flex. Pickleball 101 coach sessions – register early though! Friendly matches with content creators & local Pickleball Clubs. Julie's Pickleball Face-Off featuring Seonma & Abang, Alana & Abbas, Sai & Bernice, MalayPanTV's Joshua & Arisa with Graeme as referee. | 📅 12 June, ⏰ 2PM – 6PM 🎁 GWP (aka Free Stuff, Let's Goooo) TRP. TRP. Snag the Julie's Pickleball Collection – only available at the roadshow! Buy 2 packs = Get 2 Zing Balls (pickleballs) Spend RM50 = Get either a Sour Ace Paddle or a Sweet Serve Paddle Spend RM150 = Get a Julie's Game-On Court Bag Plus, with every purchase you'll get to redeem 4 packets of Sweet Chilli Cheese Sandwich and Sour Cream & Onion Sandwich biscuits of random flavours! TL;DR TRP. TRP. Don't stand in the kitchen. Don't smash your partner. Let the ball bounce first. Only the serving team can score points. 🙄 Serve smart, snack smarter. And most importantly, swing by Sunway Pyramid for Julie's Biscuits, fun pickleball games, and vibes. See you courtside! Share your thoughts with us via TRP's Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
George Kent, China's Qingdao to develop Malaysia's first ultrasonic water meter
KUALA LUMPUR: George Kent (Malaysia) Bhd has partnered with China's Qingdao Topscomm Communication Co Ltd to develop GK Ultra, Malaysia's first locally branded ultrasonic water meter. The announcement follows the establishment of GK SuperTtech Sdn Bhd in February, a subsidiary dedicated to driving high-technology and artificial intelligence (AI) innovations. In a statement, George Kent said the collaboration paves the way for the development of the next-generation smart metering solution designed to meet international standards and support global market expansion. The initiative is aligned with National Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP), which aims to position Malaysia as a high-technology and innovation-driven economy. As the only Malaysian company introducing a locally branded smart ultrasonic water meter to the market, George Kent said the initiative aligns with NIMP's goals of digitalisation, promoting homegrown innovation and high-technology exports. GK Ultra aims to deliver a compelling alternative with up to four times the accuracy of conventional mechanical water meters, along with superior durability and digital connectivity. Utilising ultrasonic technology with no moving parts, GK Ultra is embedded with Internet-of-Things (IoT) and AI capabilities for real-time data monitoring, remote meter reading, leak detection and predictive maintenance. The features empower utilities worldwide to transition toward intelligent, data-driven water management. The company said with global momentum behind smart cities and digital infrastructure, the smart ultrasonic water meter market is projected to grow from US$3.85 billion in 2024 to US$9.65 billion by 2037, according to Research Nester Analytics LLC. George Kent executive chairman Tan Sri Tan Kay Hock said GK Ultra marks a pivotal point in George Kent's evolution, from a trusted national brand to a global technology player. "We are proud to deliver a product that competes on the world stage, aligns with our vision of digital transformation and supports infrastructure sustainability for our customers globally," he added.
Hype Malaysia
8 hours ago
- Hype Malaysia
Sabrina Carpenter Unveils 'Man's Best Friend' Album Cover; Slammed Over Degrading Image
Last year, US singer Sabrina Carpenter dominated the charts with her hit 'Espresso', widely regarded as the song of the summer. The single, along with her album 'Short n' Sweet', also earned her first Grammy awards in the Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance categories. Following the release of her latest single, 'Manchild', which is rumoured to be inspired by her breakup with Irish actor and former boyfriend Barry Keoghan, the artist has officially revealed the artwork and title of her upcoming album, 'Man's Best Friend'. However, the response to the album cover may not have been what she was hoping for. Here's why: Earlier this morning (Thursday, 12th June), Sabrina Carpenter unveiled the official artworks for her seventh studio album, 'Man's Best Friend', which is set to be released on 29th August. The first image shows her in a black dress, kneeling on all fours, with her hair being pulled by a man, posing as though she were his pet. The other photo shows a dog wearing a light blue coloured collar that had the album title on it. Although comments on Instagram have been mostly positive as fans expressed excitement for new music, those on Twitter, however, had different opinions about the album cover. As seen in the screenshots below, many described the artwork as off-putting, criticising it for portraying her, or women in general, as subservient to men, likening the imagery to that of a pet dog. Others accused the singer of objectifying herself for the 'male gaze'. Some fans defended the former Disney star, arguing that the image and album title were intended as irony and satire, highlighting how women are often sexualised and objectified by men. However, while others recognised the underlying message, they felt that the imagery and title might not have been the most effective artistic choices to convey her point. At the time of writing, Sabrina Carpenter has yet to respond to the criticism surrounding her album artwork. Perhaps once the record is released, audiences will have a clearer understanding of the intention behind the imagery she chose. What are your thoughts on the artwork? Sources: Instagram, Twitter What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
