Watch time is the most critical metric for success. In fact, YouTube has officially emphasized that watch time plays a significant role in ranking videos. If you want to stand out and grow your channel, increasing watch time is the key to winning the YouTube game.
At AIR Media-Tech, we work with over 3000 creators, monitoring their channels around the clock and identifying the most effective strategies to boost their growth.
In this article, we’ll explore 5 proven YouTube retention tips, from long-form content optimized for TV to 24/7 live streaming and playlist strategies.
Let’s break it down!
Why Watch Time Is More Important Than Ever
Watch time refers to the total amount of time viewers spend watching your videos. In 2025, YouTube’s algorithm has put a significant emphasis on this metric because it correlates with engagement and user satisfaction. The platform prefers to rank videos that viewers watch longer because it suggests that the content is relevant, engaging, and worth watching.
Simply put: the longer someone stays on your video, the more YouTube will show it to others.
For creators, this means that short-form, highly engaging videos are great for reach, but longer videos that encourage binge-watching will perform far better in YouTube's ranking system. Watch time also directly impacts ad revenue, brand partnerships, and the overall visibility of your content.
So, how do we increase watch time and boost audience retention on YouTube? Below, we will break down key strategies that you can implement to achieve this.
1. Long-Form Content Optimized for TV
The rise of smart TVs and streaming services has transformed how people consume content. YouTube has been actively promoting the living room experience, where viewers watch videos on large TV screens. This trend is especially prevalent among viewers who enjoy long-form content, including documentaries, educational videos, and kids’ content.
Even before YouTube started discussing the shift to TV viewing everywhere in 2025 (they’ve crossed 1B+ hours watched on TVs daily), we at AIR noticed that content optimized for big screens outperformed other formats in terms of watch time. Whether it was through better visuals, immersive sound, or content length, videos designed for TV viewing created a more captivating experience for the audience.
Why Long-Form Content Works for Watch Time
Long-form content (videos longer than 10 minutes) works particularly well for increasing watch time because:
→ Viewers get more engaged. With more time to consume content, viewers are more likely to stay for longer periods.
→ It encourages binge-watching. YouTube's algorithm prioritizes videos that keep people on the platform longer. Long-form videos can encourage people to watch multiple videos in a single session, further boosting your channel’s watch time.
→ It’s perfect for ads. Longer content means more opportunities to insert ads, which directly translates into increased revenue.
Case Study: The 4K Switch that Increased Revenue by 52%
We helped our partner, a music channel, switch to 4K video quality and optimize their content for smart TV viewing.
This small change led to a 52% increase in revenue, thanks to the higher-quality experience that TV viewers loved.
This was a major win, not just in terms of revenue, but in the watch time boost they saw as people spent more time watching their content in a more immersive environment.
Ready to boost your channel’s watch time?
We’ve got the tools, data, and team to make it happen. Contact us, and let’s boost your YouTube view duration together.
Optimizing for TV Viewing: A Checklist
- Ensure your videos are shot in at least 1080p or 4K for a crisp visual experience on large screens.
- Use high-quality sound to complement your visuals. People watching on TVs often listen to their content through external speakers, so good sound is essential.
- Aim for videos between 15-60 minutes. These videos are long enough to engage viewers without losing their attention.
- Include interactive features like end screens, clickable links, and video prompts to guide viewers to your next video, boosting your overall watch time.
2. Leverage the Power of Live Streaming
In 2025, live streaming has become one of the most effective ways to engage with your audience and drive significant watch time. YouTube’s algorithm has prioritized live streams because they generate real-time engagement (comments, likes, super chats, and more), all of which contribute to increased watch time and video visibility.
Unlike regular videos, where the viewership happens at any time, live streams bring people together in real time. This creates a sense of urgency, encouraging viewers to tune in and stay engaged for the duration of the stream.
Here are some popular creators who frequently do live streams:
#1. Valkyrae (17M+ subscribers)
Valkyrae is a regular live streamer on YouTube. She plays games like Among Us and Valorant, often collaborating with other big names in the gaming community.
#2. Ninja (25M+ subscribers)
Though he's primarily known for streaming on Twitch, Ninja also streams regularly on YouTube. He often plays games like Fortnite and Valorant during his live sessions.
#3. Dream (30M+ subscribers)
Dream streams regularly on YouTube, especially for his Minecraft content. His live streams often include events like Minecraft manhunts, collaborations, and challenges with his team.
The Benefits of Live Streams for Watch Time
→ Real-Time Engagement. Live streams encourage more interaction through live chats, super chats, and viewer participation. Those are the best video engagement tips for YouTube.
→ Extended Viewing Time. The longer people stay engaged with your live stream, the more watch time you accumulate.
→ Audience Retention. Live streams allow you to directly engage with your audience, making them more likely to return for future streams.
Checklist for Hosting Live Streams
- Set a regular schedule. Consistency builds anticipation. Whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, have a set schedule.
- Engage with viewers. Interact with viewers through live chat and respond to comments.
- Promote your stream. Let your audience know when and where to tune in via social media and YouTube Stories.
- Optimize for watch time. Make sure your live stream is at least 45 minutes to an hour to maximize engagement and watch time.
3. Don’t Forget About Premieres
Premieres are scheduled video launches where viewers can watch together at a specific time. These videos create excitement and anticipation, pushing viewers to tune in right as the video goes live. Premieres give viewers a chance to interact with the content in real-time, as they can chat and engage with the creator during the launch.
For our creators, we’ve seen some remarkable results with premieres: a 10–30% increase in views and a 10–15% increase in watch time. This strategy can be a game-changer if implemented correctly.
Case Study: Turning a Track Leak into a Win via Premiere
Our partner, Alena, a Ukrainian pop artist, was hyping up her new track, "The man," with teasers on TikTok and Instagram. However, weeks before the release, a full AI-generated version of the song leaked online. Instead of fighting the leak, our team decided to capitalize on the buzz.
They set up a delayed premiere on YouTube, turning the leak into anticipation. When the official video dropped, it received 169,000 views in the first 24 hours and 183% more revenue than the previous quarter.
This strategy worked because the premiere event harnessed the hype from the leak, creating an engaging moment for fans. The delayed premiere was key to turning an unexpected leak into a viral hit.
Checklist for Maximizing Premieres
- Customize your premiere. Choose a different countdown theme, monetize your Premiere, or show a trailer.
- Promote your premiere. Use social media and community posts to get people excited and ready for the video drop.
- Engage during the premiere. Be active in the live chat to boost interaction and keep people engaged.
- Add clear calls to action. Encourage viewers to check out your other content once the premiere is over.
4. 24/7 Live Streaming: The Ultimate Watch Time Boost
24/7 live streaming is quickly becoming one of the most effective strategies to skyrocket watch time. With platforms like Gyre, our creators are able to stream pre-recorded content 24/7, which means their videos are always available, and viewers can tune in at any time.
The real magic of 24/7 live streaming is that it keeps viewers coming back repeatedly, leading to a steady stream of watch time over a long period.
Our tool, Gyre, was voted Product of the Year in 2025 because it helps creators stream pre-recorded content around the clock. It’s no surprise that creators who use Gyre have seen massive increases in watch time, with some creators seeing 300% increases in views.
TOP-10 Recommendations From Gyre
We sat down with Gyre’s brand manager, Sergiy Bilenko, to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what really drives successful 24/7 streams on YouTube:
- Restart every ~3 days if activity drops.
- Run 3–5 streams simultaneously (more reach and data for the algorithm).
- Optimize videos using Gyre Video Converter. It eliminates up to 98% of buffering.
- Give it 3 months: YouTube learns during the first month, results come in months 2–3.
- Keep your theme consistent: one genre, one story.
- Make playlists 1+ hours long, so viewers always have something new.
- Update previews, titles, and metadata when restarting.
- Streams up to 12 hours are saved in the Live tab.
- Add chatbots for likes and engagement.
- Check analytics weekly, test and improve continuously.
When done right, these strategies make your 24/7 stream unstoppable: always live, always growing.
The DONA English Case: A Success Story in 24/7 Streaming
Let’s take our partner DONA English, a kids’ and teens’ channel with 5.2 million subscribers and over 2 billion views. This channel had a vast library of pre-recorded content, but they weren’t maximizing the potential of their existing videos. The solution? 24/7 live streaming.
Our team at AIR Media-Tech helped DONA English implement a 24/7 live streaming strategy using pre-recorded videos. The channel ran 4 simultaneous streams with smart restarts that adjusted based on audience activity. The idea was simple: keep the content running at all times, so viewers could drop in at any moment and keep watching, thus increasing overall watch time.
The results of implementing 24/7 streaming for DONA English were staggering:
→ In just 10 days of August, streaming accounted for 20% of their total revenue.
→ By September, streaming was responsible for a massive 60% of their total revenue, with views increasing by approximately 42%.
→ By October, streaming was forecasted to contribute 72% of their total revenue.
These results show that 24/7 live streaming can have a profound impact on both watch time and revenue. By optimizing their existing content through this approach, DONA English managed to turn their library of pre-recorded videos into an ongoing, evergreen source of views and income.
Checklist for Starting 24/7 Streams
- Plan evergreen content. Pre-record content that remains relevant for a long time.
- Keep content fresh. Rotate videos regularly to avoid monotony.
- Use the right tools. Tools like Gyre make it easy to manage and stream content 24/7.
- Schedule smart restarts. Set automatic restarts (daily or weekly) to refresh stream performance and keep uptime stable.
- Track analytics and adjust. Monitor metrics like average watch time, chat activity, and concurrent viewers in YouTube Analytics. Identify when audience engagement peaks and adjust your streaming schedule accordingly.
- Keep it fresh and compliant. Update your content loop monthly to prevent viewer fatigue. Ensure all videos are copyright-safe and comply with YouTube’s live-streaming policies.
- Promote your stream. Share the live link across social media, YouTube Community posts, and your channel homepage.
- Get expert support (optional). AIR Media-Tech can handle a full 24/7 streaming setup, optimization, and management for you from content preparation to analytics tracking. Learn more or start a managed stream here: 24/7 Live Streaming.
5. Optimize Playlists for Higher Watch Time
Playlists work incredibly well. They help increase watch time by grouping related videos together. When you create and optimize playlists, you guide viewers into a content binge, which results in more watch time and higher engagement.
Here are some popular creators who leverage playlists as a growth tool:
#1. Markiplier (38M+ subscribers)
Markiplier’s channel is built around playlists. Every major series like Five Nights at Freddy’s, Subnautica, or Iron Lung has its own playlist, allowing fans to binge entire storylines without interruption.
#2. Linus Tech Tips (15M+ subscribers)
Linus uses playlists such as PC Builds, Tech Reviews, and Labs Testing to guide viewers through connected topics. His playlist structure is a deliberate strategy to maximize session duration.
#3. HISTORY (12M+ subscribers)
HISTORY’s channel strategically curates playlists like Ancient Discoveries, Modern Marvels, and Forged in Fire. These playlists serve as content journeys, keeping viewers watching multiple episodes in sequence.
Here’s an example of how playlists + metadata worked for our partner:
The M.Worship Music Case: a 17% Revenue Surge
M.Worship Music is a long-time AIR Media-Tech partner. Their videos performed well locally but weren’t reaching high-CPM markets like the U.S.
We began by translating and localizing titles and descriptions for English-speaking audiences, helping YouTube’s algorithm better categorize and recommend their videos. Next, we reworked playlists, grouping tracks by mood, tempo, and listener intent, such as “Peaceful Worship” or “Morning Praise,” and enriching each with SEO-friendly metadata.
The result was immediate: views grew by 11%, RPM rose 5%, and overall revenue increased 17% (without changing upload frequency). This simple optimization turned existing videos into powerful discovery tools.
Playlists and metadata are key levers for visibility, engagement, and higher watch time.
Playlist Optimization Checklist
- Lead with your strongest videos. Put your “subscriber magnets” or highest-engaging videos at the top of each playlist. That hooks the viewer early and increases the chance they’ll stay through the rest of the list.
- Group videos by themes. Create playlists based on genres, topics, or mood (e.g., "Workout Music," "Relaxing Beats").
- Use a custom cover/thumbnail for the playlist. Have a visually consistent playlist cover thumbnail (or artwork) to stand out in YouTube’s UI. It helps attract clicks to the playlist itself.
- Optimize metadata. Use relevant keywords in playlist titles, descriptions, and video tags to ensure your playlists show up in YouTube search results.
- Add videos to multiple playlists (strategically). You can place a single video in more than one playlist if it genuinely fits multiple themes (e.g. “Motivation” + “Morning Routine”). But do so carefully so you don’t confuse users or dilute focus.
- Promote playlists. Include playlist links in your video descriptions, end screens, and social media posts to encourage viewers to watch more videos.
- Analyze playlist performance & iterate. Use analytics to see which playlists keep people watching the longest, where drop-offs happen, and which videos are strong performers. Adjust ordering or swap videos accordingly.
We Can Help
Increasing your YouTube watch time is about adapting your watch time strategy to current trends, optimizing your videos for different viewing experiences, and engaging your audience in ways that keep them hooked.
Whether it’s through long-form content optimized for TV, live streaming, premieres, or 24/7 streams, each strategy offers unique benefits to boost your channel’s watch time.
Contact us to get started.
