Topline
A gameshow from centimillionaire YouTube influencer MrBeast broke Amazon Prime Video’s streaming record by racking up 50 million views in the 25 days after its Dec. 19 premiere, the streamer told Forbes, making it the platform’s most streamed unscripted show of all time and earning it several other accolades.
MrBeast on Dec. 12, 2024 in New York City.
Key Facts
“Beast Games,” which made headlines when it was first announced for boasting the largest single prize of any television show in history, is set up similarly to the mega-popular influencer’s YouTube channel and puts 1,000 contestants through a series of challenges in which they can be eliminated.
The show reached 50 million views when only five of its 10 episodes had been released, and hundreds of players are still in competition for the top prize.
In addition to the nonscripted streaming record, “Beast Games” also holds the title of the second best Prime Video series debut of 2024 and was the show responsible for the second most subscriber growth for the year, Amazon said—falling to “Fallout” in both categories.”
Beast Games” airs in 240 countries and half of its audience is outside of the United States, according to Amazon, particularly in India, the U.K. and Mexico.
Since its launch, “Beast Games” reached No. 1 on Prime Video in more than 80 countries.
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Big Number
$5 million. That’s how much will be awarded to the winner of “Beast Games.”
What To Watch For
Who wins. The show will end in an episode set to release Feb. 13.
Tangent
Five “Beast Games” contestants sued Amazon and MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, in Los Angeles Superior Court in September claiming widespread mistreatment of contestants that included sexual harassment, unpaid expenses and a lack of medical care. The plaintiffs claim they were “underfed and overtired” while filming the show, and that women were subjected to a hostile work environment “fostered a culture of misogyny and sexism.” Donaldson has not personally commented on the allegations but in November said, “tons of behind-the-scenes (clips)… to show how blown out of proportion these claims were.” The case is ongoing.
Key Background
Donaldson, 26, started making YouTube videos when he was 13 years old and has since amassed a following of more than 300 million subscribers, making him one of the biggest YouTube stars of all time. He was in the No. 1 spot on Forbes’ list of highest-paid creators for 2024, and is estimated to have made $85 million that year. His channel is known for its unique challenges, which include things ranging from building the world’s largest Lego tower to being buried alive for 50 hours, and his substantial earnings have allowed for his videos to increase in production quality and shock value over time. Last year, he posted a video crashing a Lamborghini into a wall made of at least $100,000 worth of duct tape.
Forbes Valuation
Forbes estimated Donaldson to have a net worth of $550 million in 2022. His empire includes Feastables snack bars, an extensive line of merchandise, the MrBeast Burgers restaurant chain and ‘Lunchly,’ a Lunchables competitor he launched last year with Logan Paul and KSI.
Further Reading
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