Hulu Takes a Step Back, Vevo Sees Big Growth in Online Video Viewership

While Hulu had a fairly bad month, Google held its leadership position in the realm of online video and Vevo gain a whole bunch of viewers in April, according to comScore.

Google Sites finished atop the heap in the U.S. yet again, claiming 43.2 percent of the videos viewed in April, up from 41.8 percent in March.

Hulu, which is a thorn in the side of any potential Comcast/NBCU deal, followed behind with 3.2 percent, down from 3.4 percent in March, while Microsoft Sites was third with 2.1 percent, unchanged from the previous month.

Viacom Digital (1.3 percent), Yahoo! Sites (1.2 percent), Vevo (1.1 percent), Fox Interactive Media (1.1 percent), CBS Interactive (1.0 percent), Turner Network (1.0 percent) and AOL LLC (0.8 percent) rounded out the top 10 online video content properties in the U.S. in April.

A total of 30.3 billion videos were watched in April, down 3 percent from 31.2 billion videos in March.

Google Sites also led the way with 136.3 million unique viewers in April, each averaging 96.0 videos viewed during the month.

Yahoo! Sites followed behind with 49.5 million viewers, each watching an average of 7.5 videos during April. Meanwhile, Fox Interactive Media attracted 43.8 million viewers, each watching an average of 7.3 videos during the month.

Vevo hopped up four spots to finish fourth in April with 43.6 million viewers, each averaging 7.6 videos viewed during the month. Facebook followed with 41.3 million viewers, each averaging 5.6 videos viewed.

Microsoft Sites (40.2 million viewers, 16.0 videos), CBS Interactive (39.3 million viewers, 8.1 videos), Hulu (38.7 million viewers, 24.7 videos), Viacom Digital (38.5 million viewers, 10.0 videos) and Turner Network (32.6 million viewers, 9.4 videos) rounded out the top 10 online video content properties in terms of unique viewers.

Tremor Media led the way with a potential reach of 92.6 million viewers, or 52.1 percent of the total audience in April. ScanScout Network followed with 80.7 million potential viewers, or 45.4 percent of the total, while Advertising.com Video Network was third with a potential reach of 78.4 million viewers, or 44.1 percent of the total.

Joost Video Network led the way in terms of actual reach delivered, with 36.6 percent penetration of online video viewers.

The duration of the average online video in April was 4.4 minutes, according to Nielsen.

Sources:</strong

http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2010/6/comScore_Releases_April_2010_U.S._Online_Video_Rankings

http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2010/4/comScore_Releases_March_2010_U.S._Online_Video_Rankings

http://paidcontent.org/article/419-senator-wants-comcast-to-sell-hulu-stake-as-merger-condition/

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=129038