Love to watch vlogs, product reviews, or how-to videos on YouTube? You’re definitely not alone. Backlinko ranks YouTube as the second most popular social media platform in the world. Ranking just behind Facebook/Meta, it has with over 2 billion users worldwide, and 197 million users in the U.S. With a staggering 1 trillion views coming from the U.S. alone, and 720,000 hours’ worth of video content appearing daily, it’s safe to say that YouTube is a media platform worth reckoning with!
YouTube is a one-stop destination for entertainment, personal connections, and a place of learning and help. But what makes a channel so great? It’s all about timing, having a niche, and offering something that captivates attention.
Today, let’s take a look at top YouTube channels – the most watched and popular ones!
10 most viewed YouTube channels of all time ranked by the total number of views.
This list of may seem like a very random assortment of YouTube channels. Chances are, you may not even be familiar with every single one. So let’s take a deeper dive at what each channel is!
Top YouTube channels: movies-related content
T-Series
With a staggering 196 million subscribers, T-Series is a channel that offers Indian music and movies. Known professionally as Super Cassettes Industries Private Limited, T-Series is a label started in the 80s that is essential to Bollywood music and Indian pop. The company’s YouTube channel, tracing back to March 2006, currently holds over 164 billion lifetime views. The presence of an Indian channel at #1 comes as no surprise, as India holds the record for the most YouTube users, at about 225 million people.
SET India
A major entertainment TV network in India, Sony Entertainment Television is a hot destination for game shows, singing competitions, TV dramas, and more. The corporation offers multiple channels via satellite and cable. Given India’s immense YouTube consumption, it’s no surprise that such a major TV network is the third-most-popular channel on the platform with over 98 billion lifetime views.
Sony SAB
Launched in 1999, Sony SAB is an Indian comedy pay television channel with a strong YouTube presence. Over 60 million users have already subscribed to the channel — and for a good reason. Here, you’ll find not only the latest Hindi comedy, drama, romance, silent comedy, supernatural, science fiction, and stand-up comedy, but also the all-time classics – earlier Sony SAB serials and shows for the fans of old school.
Movieclips
Made for cinema fans by cinema fans, Movieclips holds an impressive collection of licensed movie clips to watch. It hosts official clips and original videos with the best moments, memorable scenes, and famous lines we all quote on (almost) daily basis. Plus, it keeps you updated on the hottest new trailers, teasers, and sneak peeks for the most anticipated upcoming movies. No wonder it’s such a huge attraction for movie enthusiasts worldwide!
Top YouTube channels: kids’ content
Cocomelon — Nursery Rhymes
Specializing in educational nursery rhymes playing to fun, animated videos, the Cocomelon channel has 120 million subscribers. The channel’s launch dates back to September 2006. The interactive videos are no doubt a major draw for parents and little ones, offering a very niche-targeted selection of media. Cocomelon was acquired by London-based Moonbug Entertainment in 2020 and has grown to have its own web store of toys and books.
Kids Diana Show
Kids Diana Show is a children’s channel that features toy unboxings, vlogs, educational content, and fun sing-along videos. In 2015, two Ukrainian parents started the channel that features their daughter Diana and son Roma showcasing their talents and toys to the world. The channel is a hit with children, and is reported, as of 2021, to be the most-subscribed channel in Ukraine, at 84.8 million people. Diana’s videos are such a hit that they come with multiple languages dubbing and she even has her own line of toys — “Love, Diana” — at Walmart.
Like Nastya
A Russian YouTube channel for children, Like Nastya has started in 2016 as a toy unboxing channel. These days, it’s among the top ten most viewed YouTube channels worldwide with videos dubbed into Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Korean, and more. Anastasia, the personality behind the channel, was even referenced to as ‘one of the world’s fastest-growing creators’ by Forbes.
Vlad and Niki
This channel is all about the daily life and adventures of two brothers from Miami, USA. Previously dedicated to unboxing videos only, these days, it’s a massive source of pretend play, travelling, and storytelling videos. As per 2019 estimates, the brothers had the title of the highest earning YouTubers per video!
Ryan’s world
Formerly known as Ryan ToysReview, Ryan’s World is a booming YouTube channel for children aged 2-6. Founded in 2015, it combines personal vlogging with toys unboxing and reviews science experiments, music videos, challenges, and more. The channel’s host, ten-year-old Ryan Kaji, was named ‘the boy king of YouTube’ by New York Times Magazine.
Top YouTube channels: sports-related content
WWE
Ah, wrestling. An entertaining spectacle that garnered legions of fans worldwide in the ‘90s, wrestling is a competitive sport that is funny as it is dangerous and crazy. That’s why it’s no surprise that the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) clocks in at 82.8 million channel subscribers. The channel uploads full-match videos, highlights, teasers, and interviews with wrestling stars.
Movies, music, kids’ entertainment — that’s what YouTube is all about. And the list of top YouTube channels should not shock anyone. Because users turn to YouTube for escape and companionship throughout their work day and downtime. It’s helpful to take into account the effectiveness of YouTube for your own brand or marketing efforts.
SUMMARY: YouTube is a portal into a world of anything — any niche, solution, piece of advice, or glimpse into a life totally unlike your own. Our list of the current top YouTube channels (by all-time views) can show you just what great media presence and niche selection can do for a brand and company.
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