During study breaks, weekends, and the rare occurrence of free time, many of us high school students entertain ourselves by watching television or YouTube videos. Although the two sources of media have their differences, I have found myself appreciating YouTube more than cable TV. In the categories of amount and types of content, advertisement presence, and overall experience of using the media source, the online option seems to have the upper hand.

The amount and variety of content found on YouTube offers much more than television ever could. While cable TV offers shows and movies created by a limited number of people, YouTube offers shows, movies, music, vlogs, tutorials, gaming videos, and much more created by an overwhelming amount of contributors from around the world.

Some may argue that the quality of the content on television is much better than any YouTube video, but YouTube has evolved since its creation in 2005. Contrary to what some people believe, YouTube is no longer just of a bunch of teenagers making videos in their bedrooms (however, vloggers are still popular on the website, like Tyler Oakley, Bethany Mota, and Jenna Marbles, just to name a few). The website now offers actual shows created by its users, such as Video Game High School and H+: The Digital Series.

Along with these original and professionally-made shows, YouTube is also used by television shows to widen their audiences and have content available at all times. Popular TV shows such as The Ellen Show and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon have their own YouTube channels full of clips from old and recent episodes.

YouTube is also a source of music: everyday users as well as musical celebrities can be found on the free website.

Along with these major sources of entertainment, YouTube has comedy, sports, gaming and educational channels. With its unlimited size and potential, YouTube is like a perfect combination of Google, Spotify and television. And it’s all free.

Watching advertisements is inevitable when using a media source, but the frequency and types of the advertisements shown on a media source are controlled by the owners. When we sit down to watch an hour-long TV show, almost half of that hour is actually just the same group of advertisements shown over and over again (I’m looking at you, ESPN).

On YouTube, the longest advertisement that users have to watch is 30 seconds, and those advertisements are selected based on the content the user has been viewing. YouTube allows users to skip ads longer than 30 seconds after five seconds of the ad have passed: a feature that I’m sure many people appreciate. The lesser number of ads on YouTube encourages users to continue watching videos and allows them to watch more content in a shorter amount of time than television does.

In our limited free time, we want to be as comfortable and entertained as possible. When you first think about it, you might believe that watching television on your large flat-screen while laying on your comfortable couch sounds way more enjoyable than sitting at your desk watching Youtube videos on your small computer screen. However, with the right cord, you can plug any device with YouTube on it into your television if it doesn’t already have the app. Watching YouTube like this offers the comfort of watching television without the reruns, channel surfing, and repetitive advertisements found on cable.

Another thing about YouTube that cannot be found on television is a connection between the creators and the viewers. Although they can create high-quality content, YouTube stars also make a connection to their users by reading and responding to their comments and talking directly to them in their videos. This personal connection is part of what makes YouTube so successful, unique, and enjoyable to watch.

Overall, Youtube is a better source of media than cable TV. By being on the Internet and open to all types of entertainment and users, YouTube is limitless. The wide spectrum of content, availability and personalization on YouTube makes it unique while its limited advertisements and mobility make it a comfortable and enjoyable way to be entertained. In moments of procrastination and relaxation alike, YouTube is the place to turn to.