YouTube TV will be the largest pay-TV operator in the U.S. in 2027, Omdia says in a new report.
YouTube TV—which is launching new genre-specific packages in 2026—will eclipse Charter and Comcast in 2027, Omdia projects.
“For the first time in U.S. television history, the largest pay-TV operator will be a virtual provider,” said Maria Rua Aguete, head of media and entertainment at Omdia.
At the end of this year, YouTube TV will have 9.3 million subs, behind Comcast’s 10.6 million and Charter’s 11.4 million. By 2027, Omdia predicts YouTube TV’s base will rise to 10.4 million, while Charter will slip to 10 million and Comcast to 9.2 million.
“YouTube TV has evolved into a full pay-TV bundle, integrating linear channels, premium networks, and marquee sports properties such as NFL Sunday Ticket,” Rua Aguete said. “This is not just another streaming service; it is the new face of U.S. pay TV.”
Rua Aguete continued, “Netflix may reach 300 million global subscribers, but alongside YouTube’s 3 billion users, it is not a dominant global player. YouTube operates at a scale that no subscription service can match.”
She went on to discuss the “misconception” that Netflix is the “dominant streaming service,” noting its 15.7% share of U.S. SVOD subs at 88.7 million. Prime Video sits at 64.7 million, with Disney+ at 55.8 million, Paramount+ at 49.4 million and HBO Max at 29.7 million. “Audience attention and spend are spread across a wide array of platforms,” Rua Aguete said.
