Bieber Passes Gaga for Most-Viewed YouTube Video

(CBS/ AP)  Justin Bieber's music video for "Baby" is the most-watched video ever on YouTube.

The 16-year-old pop sensation's video passed Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" video to take the all-time lead.

More than 246 million have watched Bieber's video on the Google Inc.-owned website.

Justin Beiber on @katiecouric
Pictures: Celebrity Hair We Love

Bieber tweeted a thank you to "Beliebers" and said the video's success was "crazy." The singer wrote: "I started on youtube so ... WOW!" he also called Gag an incredible artist he has great respect for.

Bieber's video and Lady Gaga's switched positions briefly Friday, but as of late afternoon, Bieber was ahead by more than 600,000 views.

The most-watched clip on YouTube that isn't a music video is the popular "Charlie bit my finger" viral video, which more than 210 million have watched.

Gaga still dwarfs Bieber in terms of record sales, points out CBS News Correspondent Jeff Glor, with 10 million for her debut album, "The Fame."

Still, Glor observers, Beiber has tapped into a valuable medium.

Music journalist Alan Light says, "There are still fan bases in the millions. Even if there aren't record sales in the millions, there are still a lot of people who are interested in these acts."

Bieber now has a lucrative record deal of his own to go with those millions of devoted fans

And he's topping the music industry's newest to track its stars. "YouTube is an increasingly critical way to building your career," Light notes. … It's harder and harder to figure out a way to get your stuff in front of people."

Still, Glor cautions not to count out Lady Gaga just yet: Although she may be behind on YouTube views, she's breaking records on Facebook, with more than 10 million fans.

[samsujata]

I totally believe Lady Gaga rocks. Justin is still kid and short term phenomena that young girls are likely to follow. This will soon fade out. Justin has to rise in music style and change his culture otherwise he'll be badly outnumbered.

[lancesackless]

I think the big question is...does anyone with a three-digit IQ even CARE about this tripe?!?

[ddal10]

Katie PLEASE, I want to see the claws come out again!

[rwsmith29456]

Now Gaga is going to have to do something outrageous to increase her popularity. Something that requires talent like getting arrested for going around naked or something.

[ddal10]

Katie, Interview that Enron guy just getting out of jail, what's his name, oh, Jeffery Skilling. Interviews in that vane?

[ddal10]

Katie, cmon, knock it off with the soccer mom interviews and give us some real meat and potato interviews. How bout some youngsters we should really value, like the youngest Math wizz or the youngest Science prodigy or sponsor a debate between Madeleine Al bright and Sarah Palin, pleaseeee! Your interview with Sarah Palin was gold plated!

[fredhe]

Uh...like...who cares?

[Chris_VA]

[finger-down-throat+gag]

[orangebubble]

What's his name? Gerber? He might as well be a Ken doll. WE DON'T NEED ANYMORE MACHINE PREST "SINGERS"
THERE IS ENOUGH!

[book_of_wally]

Congradulations to the latest Keith Partridge.