The current world’s most-subscribed YouTuber, MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, inked a deal with Amazon’s Prime Video, reportedly worth $100 million, to create and co-produce a reality game show called Beast Games.
The show will have 1,000 participants competing to take home a $5 million cash prize, which is the largest single prize in the history of TV and streaming, according to Amazon.
Social media influencer Donaldson is previously known for hosting his version of Netflix’s Squid Game on YouTube, which garnered 588 million views in 2021.
Donaldson’s videos have outrageous stunts and a charitable reputation, like rescuing 1,000 abandoned dogs, building 100 wells in Africa, and paying for cataract surgeries to help 1,000 blind people see again, among others.
The North Carolina native’s recent deal reflects a shift in the entertainment landscape, where digital stars are increasingly courted by mainstream media.
MrBeast’s success on YouTube has also been staggering, generating annual revenues of $600 to $700 million. He’s built his own $10 million studio for creating content.
His merch sales alone grossed $82 million from June 2022 to June 2023.