Elon Musk-owned social media platform X is making a move to take on Google-owned free video-sharing platform YouTube. X is launching a dedicated app for smart TVs reportedly within the week, offering long-form video content and a user interface similar to YouTube.
Musk confirmed the launch on X, highlighting the ability to use Apple AirPlay for easy streaming to larger screens. This dedicated app makes it more convenient for users to watch X’s long-form videos on their televisions. Reportedly, the app will be initially available on Amazon Fire OS and Samsung Tizen OS. The company is also planning to expand the app’s reach to include Google TV OS and Apple tvOS.
Coming soon https://t.co/JlnlSL7eS9
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 9, 2024
X’s push into video comes alongside other efforts to transform it into an “everything app.” Since Musk’s acquisition in 2022, X has introduced features like native audio and video calling, with payment functionalities reportedly coming soon. The platform also offers premium subscriptions for ad-free viewing, post editing, verification badges, and access to the Grok generative AI model.
This focus on video content and additional features suggests X is aiming to become a one-stop shop for users’ online activities, potentially taking on established players in various sectors beyond just YouTube. No doubt the competition is tough. According to a report by Oberlo, citing data from Statista, the total number of YouTube users across the globe is forecasted to hit 933.39 million in 2024. This is a 7.5% increase from 2023, down from the previous year’s increase of 10.6%.
While there is a notable slowdown in the growth of the number of YouTube users, the San Bruno, California-headquartered company has witnessed a remarkable rise in the last five years. YouTube reportedly had 532.6 million users in 2019. Looking ahead, the report noted that YouTube is expected to have a “sustained growth” in terms of number of users. The platform is forecasted to gather 996.4 million by 2025 and exceed one billion by 2026.
