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Khaleej Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
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.
Broadcast Pro
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
YouTube marks 20 years with surge in million-dollar channels across MENA
YouTube, a key force in MENA's creator economy, reported a 40% rise in Saudi channels and a 15% rise in UAE channels earning seven figures annually as of December 2024. As YouTube celebrates its 20th anniversary, the platform has released new data showing a sharp year-over-year increase in the number of channels generating seven-figure revenues in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The milestone underscores YouTube's growing impact on the creator economy across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), as well as its enduring role as a platform for self-expression, learning and entertainment. According to YouTube's latest figures, as of December 2024, the number of channels earning more than seven figures in Saudi Riyals grew by 40%, while Egypt recorded a 60% increase in channels earning in the millions of Egyptian Pounds. In the UAE, the rise was 15% in channels achieving comparable success in Emirati Dirhams. This growth reflects not only increased viewership and creator success but also YouTube's continued investment in monetisation tools and support for local talent. Javid Aslanov, Head of YouTube in MENA, said: 'As YouTube turns 20, 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. We're proud to be able to support them in their journey and can't wait to see what the next 20 years holds.' The platform's global influence is especially evident in the international reach of MENA creators. YouTube revealed that over 95% of watch time for content produced in the UAE comes from viewers outside the country. Similarly, more than 60% of the watch time for Egyptian channels originates from international audiences, highlighting the region's storytelling appeal on the global stage. Since launching its Arabic-language interface in 2010 and the YouTube Partner Programme in MENA in 2012, YouTube has opened doors for a new generation of creators to monetise their content. From pioneering Saudi comedy shows like Noon Niswa by Hatoon Kadi and the animated Masameer, to educational successes like Mohamed Abdelhafez's World of Agriculture, which has amassed over 102 million views, YouTube has become home to a diverse and growing body of work that reflects the cultural richness of the region. Some of the most iconic digital moments from MENA have unfolded on YouTube—from Queen Rania of Jordan receiving the YouTube Visionary Award to viral moments like the Harlem Shake at the Pyramids of Egypt, AboFlah's massive refugee fundraiser and Thamanyah's record-breaking podcast episode on relationships. The platform's wide reach continues to grow. In May 2024 alone, YouTube reached 20m people in Saudi Arabia and 7.5m adults over 18 in the UAE. In Qatar, it connected with over 1.7m viewers aged 25–54. As consumption patterns shift toward larger screens, YouTube also reported that it reached more than 12m users in Saudi Arabia, over 2.5m in the UAE, and 600,000 in Qatar via connected TVs. With a growing suite of content formats—including video-on-demand, podcasts, live streaming and connected TV—YouTube is giving creators more ways than ever to tell stories in the formats that resonate most with their audiences. Globally, YouTube has shared $70bn with creators, artists, and media companies over the past three years, and supports over three million content partners today.
Gulf News
06-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf News
YouTube Music and Premium surpass 125 million subscribers globally
New Delhi: Google-owned YouTube on Thursday said that it has crossed 125 million subscribers for its Music and Premium services worldwide, including trial users. The streaming platform said in a statement its focus remains on providing subscribers with multiple ways to enjoy their favourite content. The platform continues to introduce new features, enhancing the experience for users across different devices. Apart from benefiting users, YouTube Music and Premium have also created additional revenue opportunities for content creators and partners. YouTube announced last year that over one in four creators participating in its ad-sharing program are now earning revenue through its short-form video service, shorts. Since launching revenue sharing on shorts last year, over 25 per cent of channels in the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP) are now generating earnings through this revenue stream. The streaming platform revealed that over 80 per cent of creators who joined the YPP through shorts eligibility are now also earning through other monetisation features. These include long-form advertising, fan funding, YouTube Premium, BrandConnect, Shopping, and more. 'This means that Shorts is opening the door for creators to earn in other ways on the platform, and they're seeing the dividends,' the company informed. According to reports, YouTube has paid $70 billion to creators, artists and media companies over the last three years. The streaming platform stated that with Shorts receiving an average of over 70 billion views per day and new monetisation opportunities emerging, the shorts community is flourishing, bringing fresh creativity and new voices to the platform. The growth in subscriptions reflects the increasing demand for ad-free viewing, offline downloads, and exclusive content, according to an official statement. Over the years, YouTube has expanded its services to cater to a global audience, ensuring a seamless and high-quality experience for both music lovers and premium content consumers. Sign up for the Daily Briefing Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
