It starts innocently enough. Maybe you want to see an old Midnight Oil interview, perhaps a quirky DIY fix for your vintage Commodore’s radiator, or – let’s be honest – a funny clip about dancing cockatoos. Next thing, you’re three hours deep, the kettle’s gone cold and YouTube’s recommending videos about how to replace a tap washer, detailed reviews of the latest gardening gadgets and, inexplicably, drone footage of outback trains. If you’re a bloke over 60 in Australia, rest assured – you are not alone down this digital rabbit hole.
How many older Australians are watching?
Australian YouTube users clocked up almost 22 hours a week on home video entertainment last year, including YouTube binge sessions – a figure that’s only edging upward as more retirees discover the joys of streaming. Specifically, Australians spend about 21 and a half hours a month on YouTube alone – meaning some regulars, especially older men, are watching a few hours every day. That’s a lot of gardening tips, fishing tricks, classic rock performances and (admit it) “fails” compilations.
As for age: usage among the 60-plus crowd is booming. Recent stats show that 60 percent of Australians aged 65 to 74 now use YouTube, a dramatic rise from just a few years ago. Even those aged 75+ are tuning in, with nearly half now watching online videos – a big jump from previous years. Men are particularly hooked: 76 percent of older Aussie males use YouTube, outpacing their female counterparts.
What are Older Blokes actually watching?
While younger viewers are glued to TikTok and gaming channels, older Australians – like our hypothetical friend Barry—lean into the classics. The most-watched genres among 60-plus viewers are:
• DIY, Home Renovation and Gardening: Clips about fixing things around the house, reviews of new tools, and Aussie backyard tips.
• News and Commentary: Trusted sources, political panels, and explainers, often from both mainstream outlets and local legends with a webcam.
• Classic Australian Entertainment and Music: Stand-up comedy, 80s pub rock gigs, and nostalgic TV game shows have a steady audience.
Don’t be surprised if half the men in your local bowling club can quote YouTube’s latest “lawn mower showdown” or remind you to oil your deck before winter.
Vanishing hours and screen-sucked weekends
Ask any retiree: the hours slip away unnoticed when the algorithm finds your sweet spot. For some, it’s community football highlights; for others, “how to sharpen your chainsaw” or the latest shed organisation hack. The truth? YouTube isn’t just helping older Australians pass time in retirement – it’s become the clubroom, the pub, and the library rolled into one, open 24/7 and mercifully free of sticky coasters.
So next time you see an older bloke thoroughly absorbed in his tablet at the cafe, just know he’s probably learning something new – or watching a bloke wrestle a crocodile for laughs. And in that digital rabbit hole, maybe, just maybe, time spent isn’t wasted at all.