They’re paid ALSO based on how long people watch (which skipping decreases) and their sponsors offer deals based on their conversion metrics, which can’t happen if people don’t watch.
I pay for YouTube premium and all the sponsor shit does annoy me too. As much as I like Legal Eagle, him having 2 ads and a sponsor IN each videos on top of the ads I don’t see with Premium really makes me want to use sponsor block, but I mostly listen to stuff on my phone.