YouTube to invest Rs 850 crore in India’s growing creator economy, ET BrandEquity

YouTube CEO Neal MohanIndia’s immense potential as a global powerhouse in entertainment was a key focus of YouTube CEO Neal Mohan’s keynote address in Mumbai today. Speaking at the inaugural edition of WAVES Summit 2025, Mohan illustrated India’s current standing by pointing to the Prime Minister’s world-leading YouTube subscriber base of over 25 million.

“The Prime Minister’s remarkable digital presence truly evidences this,” Mohan stated. “With over 25 million YouTube subscribers, he has the largest following of any head of government globally. His vision is also evident in this unique event, uniting India’s rich cultural heritage, entrepreneurial spirit, and true global leadership.”

Looking to the future, Mohan revealed YouTube’s plan to inject over Rs 850 crore over the next two years to further accelerate the growth of India’s burgeoning creator economy. He added, “YouTube’s ability to connect creators across the globe has established it as a powerful engine for cultural export, a capability few nations have harnessed as effectively as India. While the present is remarkable to witness, we are even more enthusiastic about India’s future as a global entertainment powerhouse. To that end, over the next two years, YouTube will invest over INR 850 crores to accelerate the growth of Indian creators, artists, and media companies.”Mohan established India’s emergence as a “Creator Nation,” revealing that over 100 million channels in India uploaded content in the past year, with more than 15,000 of these surpassing one million subscribers. He underscored YouTube’s significant economic impact, stating that the platform has paid over INR 21,000 crore to Indian creators, artists, and media companies in the last three years alone.

He emphasised how YouTube has empowered these creators to transform their passions into successful businesses and cultivate loyal global fandoms. Last year, content produced in India racked up 45 billion hours of watch time from viewers outside the country.

Mohan emphasised the tangible impact of these figures, stating, “These aren’t just numbers. They represent career and business pathways for a vibrant new India. Indian creators truly exemplify what makes YouTube special – the ability to share history, culture, and passion with viewers in every corner of the world,” concluded Mohan.

• Published On May 1, 2025 at 08:49 PM IST

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