• by Wayne Friedman , January 16, 2015

Scottsdale, Ariz.-based ABI Research says total revenue from short-form video is expected to hit $13 billion in five years -- a six-year 18.5% growth rate.

Much new growth will come from more “professional” user-generated content.

Sam Rosen, practice director of ABI Research, stated: “Multichannel networks that work with content contributors and advertising agencies targeting services like YouTube are finding suitors and partners among some of the largest industry players in video.”

ABI estimates come from including over-the-top (OTT) content — Netflix, Hulu, and VUDU, which often generates more revenue per play. ABCI says the online video market is expected to reach over $56 billion by 2019, with a six-year compounded annual growth rate of 23.1%.

Looking specifically at YouTube — perhaps the biggest user generated platforms in the world — U.S./U.K. research company, Statista says, 2014 revenue was $1.13 billion in 2014. This is expected to climb to $1.51 billion this year and $1.75 billion in 2016.