iirc youtube is right now a net loss for google, hence them constantly trying to stuff it with ads, youtube premium, etc.

Yeah that makes sense. I’m Canadian, and there’s a similar dynamic. Albertans hate Ontario, BC hates Alberta, Quebec hates everybody, etc. etc. until an American comes along.
Correct me if I’m wrong but from what I’ve seen NJ seems most like the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) in Canada; a bunch of small suburban towns surrounding a major city, that people tend not to like.

Fair, although that does beg the question of why New Yorkers hate New Jersey to begin with.