The Most Popular Streaming Platforms In The US Might Not Be What You Think
Netflix isn't America's most-watched streaming platform on TV, and two free services are giving bigger names some competition.
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The streaming platform Americans spend the most time watching on TV doesn't require a subscription. In July 2026, YouTube had the largest share of US television viewing at 14.2 percent, which is almost double Netflix's 7.8 percent. The other surprises came farther down the rankings: The Roku Channel outpaced Peacock, while Tubi beat Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming services, including HBO Max.
These numbers come from Nielsen's The Gauge, which tracks viewing time on TV, not subscriber numbers, app downloads or viewing on a phone. In July 2026, 49 percent of all TV time was spent on streaming. Live channels watched via YouTube TV count toward broadcast or cable viewing, so the standalone pay TV service doesn't inflate YouTube's streaming share. It's interesting that the platform most focused...
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