These are the quietest YouTube hits

You might expect spectacular stunts, expensive cameras and large productions when it comes to successful YouTube channels. Yet the internet can be surprisingly easy to please. In fact, some of the most-watched videos consist of little more than a softly humming fan, a crackling fire, or soothing music that plays for hours. Lo-Fi Girl. Almost everyone […]

You might expect spectacular stunts, expensive cameras, and major productions when it comes to successful YouTube channels. Yet, the internet can be surprisingly easy to please. In fact, some of the most-watched videos consist of little more than a softly humming fan, a crackling fire, or soothing music that plays for hours.

lofi girl 

Almost everyone who's ever searched for study music on YouTube has come across this channel. Lofi Girl broadcasts lo-fi beats 24/7, recognizable by the now-iconic animation of a girl studying at her desk. Millions of people worldwide use the stream as background music while working or studying.

The channel is run by Frenchman Dimitri Somogyi, who launched the project in 2015 under the name ChilledCow. What began as a simple livestream grew into a globally renowned channel with millions of subscribers. Lofi Girl has now even grown into a music label that promotes lo-fi artists and releases music on streaming services.

Relaxing White Noise 

The YouTube channel Relaxing White Noise proves that even the simplest sounds can attract a huge audience. The channel features hours-long videos featuring the sounds of fans, rain, airplane cabins, or other monotonous background noises that help people sleep or focus. Many videos are eight to ten hours long, so viewers often leave them on all night.

The channel is run by American Gregory Cannon, who started it to help people with sleep problems and concentration. He has since built an entire company around the concept, with popular sleep and white noise apps.

Virtual Fireplace 

No fireplace at home? Then just turn one on on YouTube. The channel Fireplace4K has millions of views with its long videos of crackling logs and warm fires. Especially around the holidays, these videos are played en masse on televisions, in living rooms, and even in restaurants to create extra ambiance.

Monterey Bay Aquarium 

The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California discovered that people surprisingly enjoy watching calming underwater footage. The channel regularly streams live footage of jellyfish, fish, and sea otters. Many viewers use it for relaxation or as a soothing background video during work or study.

10 Hours Movies 

Some channels simplify the concept even further: they simply stretch a sound or video to ten hours. The channel 10 Hours Movies does just that with tracks like rain, train rides, or music loops. Perfect for those looking for a long background video – and therefore racking up millions of views.