A few weeks ago, American “MrBeast” dethroned longtime YouTube king “PewDiePie”. With 114 million followers, MrBeast is the most followed social media star worldwide.
Last year, MrBeast made $54 million. The $32 million comes from ads aired on its main channel and several sub-channels with millions of followers. Sponsored content accounted for 9 million. YouTube itself also pays a contribution. As a general rule, anyone accepted into the YouTube partner program earns about $1 per 1000 clicks.
Mr. Beast now makes hamburgers too
Calculate now: a few of MrBeast’s funny videos have already been viewed over 100 million times. A simple challenge that MrBeast bet with other influencers who would be the last to get their hands on a private jet hit 62 million views in two weeks. And only on Youtube. MrBeast is now also active on Facebook, TikTok and other social media platforms. The followers there are already reaching millions.
In other words: “Brand” is accepted in all channels. Additional income comes from offline sales: MrBeast, for example, sells hamburgers at Planet Hollywood and fudge at Walmart. He even opened his own restaurant not far from New York in the state of New Jersey. It is said that 20,000 people attended the opening.
Burning money means making money
For the current year, MrBeast already expects revenue of around $110 million, double that of last year. He’s now targeting one billion sales—making him the first YouTube billionaire to hit the mark. That money has to come through shareholders.
MrBeast is currently the sole owner of his creative studio. But he was willing to sell his 10% stake for $150 million. It is unclear whether anyone is interested. That said, it can’t be said that he overestimated MrBeast’s value: “Forbes” estimates that MrBeast’s studio is currently worth around $500 million.
These sums allow the YouTube king to shoot increasingly bizarre videos. Cost per video: $1 million to $3 million. It is also part of the program that he repeatedly distributes large sums of money. The money machine can hardly be stopped. Or in MrBeast’s own words: “I get $10,000, I put it on video, and I make $20,000 with it.”