MrBeast, the massively popular YouTube creator known for big-money giveaways and outlandish stunts, is nearing a deal for a reality-competition show with Amazon‘s Prime Video, Variety has confirmed.
Details of the show, including its title, aren’t known. But the idea is that a MrBeast-hosted show for Prime Video would follow the format of his viral YouTube challenges, including doling out large cash prizes. To date, MrBeast’s most-viewed video on YouTube is his 2021 reenactment of “Squid Game,” featuring a series of elimination challenges re-created from the hit Netflix show — which awarded one winner $446,000.
Amazon declined to comment. Reps for MrBeast did not respond to requests for comment. MrBeast’s negotiations with Prime Video were first reported by Puck, which cited a source as pegging the deal at potentially near $100 million. Sources familiar with the talks cautioned that a deal has not yet been officially inked at this point.
MrBeast, whose name is Jimmy Donaldson, is the most-followed individual creator on YouTube with 233 million subscribers (and counting). Amazon, of course, would be banking on MrBeast’s huge reach to drive viewership to the Prime Video show.
Donaldson also runs several other YouTube channels: MrBeast Gaming, which has more than 41 million subscribers, Beast Reacts (over 31 million) and Beast Philanthropy (over 21 million). In addition to his viral videos, Donaldson has multiple business endeavors and regularly uses his platform to support charitable causes.
With his sizable fanbase, Donaldson is reportedly the highest-earning internet creator. The 25-year-old North Carolina native generated an estimated $82 million in gross earnings over the 12-month period between June 2022-June 2023, according to Forbes — more than twice the earnings any other digital creator. MrBeast has won the Creator of the Year award at each of the last four Streamy Awards (from 2020-23).
Donaldson’s business ventures include Feastables, a line of chocolate bars and other snack foods, and the MrBeast Burger restaurant chain. Last year Donaldson sued Virtual Dining Concepts, seeking to end his deal with the virtual restaurant company that operates MrBeast Burger, alleging among other things that the burgers it served were called “disgusting,” “revolting” and “inedible” and damaged his reputation. VDC responded with its own $100 million lawsuit against MrBeast alleging breach of contract.
From Variety US