YouTube will invest over ₹850 crores in the next two years to boost the growth of Indian creators, artists, and media companies, CEO Neal Mohan announced at the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES). Highlighting India’s rising global digital influence, Mohan noted that content produced in India generated 45 billion hours of international watch time in 2023 alone. Over the past three years, YouTube has paid more than ₹21,000 crores to Indian creators, illustrating its significant contribution to the country’s digital economy.
India Emerges as Global Creator Hub, Says YouTube CEO
Describing India as a “creator nation,” Mohan shared that more than 100 million Indian channels uploaded content on YouTube last year, with over 15,000 channels surpassing 1 million subscribers—up from 11,000 just a few months ago. He emphasized that these figures reflect real opportunities, enabling creators to share their culture and build thriving businesses.
Mohan also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s digital leadership, pointing out that Modi has over 25 million YouTube subscribers, the largest following of any head of government globally. He attributed India’s emergence as a global creative hub to the government’s visionary digital policies.
YouTube Boosts India’s Global Creator Economy with Major Investment
The new investment aims to further support this growth, helping creators access global audiences and turning their passion into sustainable careers. YouTube’s impact as a cultural and economic force is especially evident in India, where its platform connects local talent with international fans, driving both creativity and income.
By investing heavily in India’s digital ecosystem, YouTube is reinforcing its commitment to supporting a vibrant creator economy that not only entertains but also exports Indian culture globally. The initiative is expected to forge new career paths and expand India’s influence in the global digital content landscape.
Summary:
YouTube will invest ₹850 crore to support Indian creators, who generated 45 billion hours of global watch time in 2023. With over ₹21,000 crore paid to creators in three years, the platform fuels India’s digital economy and global cultural reach, reinforcing its status as a rising creator hub.
