Music For kids, YouTube has killed the video/radio/Spotify star

YouTube is the new music for kids and teenagers (Getty Images)

It would appear that YouTube really is the new MTV.

According to a report by Neilson, the video website has surpassed radio, iTunes and CDs to become the most popular way for teenagers in the US to listen to music.

Sixty-four per cent of those polled said they listen to music on YouTube, while 56 per cent used the radio; 53 per cent played songs having purchased them on iTunes and 50 per cent of teenagers listened to CDs.

The free site's popularity represents one of the many challenges facing record companies. The ad-funded Vevo channel on YouTube is one of their key weapons in making this new music giant pay.