YouTube TV Set to Become the Largest US Pay-TV Operator by 2027

YouTube TV is set to redefine the US television landscape, according to new forecasts from Omdia. The analytics firm stated that it will surpass Charter and Comcast to become the largest pay-TV operator in the United States by 2027.

If the forecast turns out to be true, it would mark the first time a virtual pay-TV provider will claim the top position in the market. Omdia’s latest analysis highlights the rapid growth trajectory of YouTube TV and its continued expansion into traditional pay-TV territory.

At the end of 2025, Charter leads the US Pay-TV Market with 11.4 million subscribers, ahead of Comcast (10.6 million) and YouTube TV (9.3 million). Omdia forecasts that YouTube TV will lead the market in 2027 with 10.4 million subscribers. Charter would drop to 10 million, as Comcast would take the third position with 9.3 million subscribers.

“For the first time in US television history, the largest pay-TV operator will be a virtual provider,” said Maria Rua Aguete, Head of Media and Entertainment at Omdia. “YouTube TV has evolved into a full pay-TV bundle, integrating linear channels, premium networks, and marquee sports properties such as NFL Sunday Ticket. This is not just another streaming service; it is the new face of US pay TV.”

Rua Aguete notes that YouTube’s influence extends far beyond its pay-TV platform. With nearly 3 billion global users, YouTube remains the largest video ecosystem in the world by a significant margin. “Netflix may reach 300 million global subscribers, but alongside YouTube’s 3 billion users, it is not a dominant global player,” she said. “YouTube operates at a scale that no subscription service can match.” This dual position, global video dominance plus rising pay-TV leadership, gives YouTube a unique strategic advantage in the media landscape.

Omdia’s latest subscriber data highlights a highly fragmented US streaming market. Even as the largest single service, Netflix accounts for just 15.7% of total US SVOD subscriptions with a total of 88.7 million subscribers. Amazon Prime Video is second (64.7 million), ahead of Disney+ (55.8 million), Paramount+ (49.4 million), and HBO Max (29.7 million). “The idea of Netflix as a dominant streaming service is a misconception,” Rua Aguete noted. “Audience attention and spending are spread across a wide array of platforms.”

Omdia’s research shows a clear shift toward hybrid services that blend linear TV, premium channels, live sports, UGC, and on-demand content. With YouTube TV on course to lead US pay-TV and YouTube already commanding the world’s biggest video audience, the company exemplifies where the industry is heading.

Rua Aguete also addressed consolidation pressures, noting strong interest in Warner assets. “Paramount and Warner remain two of the most strategically valuable assets in Hollywood,” she said. “Interest from players such as Netflix or Paramount reflects the growing need for scale, premium IP, and global distribution.”