An entertainment revolution 20 years in the making
Jun 20, 2025 – [[read-time]] minute read
This year marks twenty years since YouTube's launch, a milestone that saw the emergence of a global creator class and the development of an entirely new industry led by creator-community collaborations. A new kind of relationship formed between entertainers, advertisers and fans that has shaped global culture and redefined mainstream entertainment.
Our latest report from the YouTube Culture & Trends team examines this ongoing journey and the creative diversity it has unleashed. With access to a global audience — a reach that was previously unavailable to everyday people — creators and their fans have been building a new mainstream. This direct connection led to the development of new genres of entertainment and a shift in how culture is created and shared worldwide.
Today, YouTube operates in more than 100 countries and 80 languages, with billions of monthly viewers who collectively watch over a billion hours of video each day. This staggering growth underscores a new, borderless mainstream where entertainment is no longer just consumed — it's co-created in a constant dialogue between creators and their communities, who are collectively shaping the future of entertainment together.
To learn more about how creators and viewers are reinventing YouTube and revolutionizing entertainment, read the Culture & Trends report here.
