DreamWorks and PewDiePie Are Banking on YouTube’s Profitabiliy

DreamWorksTV is launching exclusive online content on their channel while gamer PewDiePie rakes in $4 million in revenue.

The Hollywood Reporter‘s Natalie Jarvey reports DreamWorks officially launched DreamWorksTV on YouTube today (June 16) with a bang.

Content will focus on animation, family friendly reality TV segments, and iconic characters. 

“DreamWorksTV Launches on YouTube With Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and More” lists upcoming, online exclusive content that will combine classics, like Richie Rich, with recent hits along the lines of Shrek and Kung Fu Panda. 

And characters from various DWA IP projects, like Puss in Boots, will video log (vlog).  

The channel was created in partnership with AwesomenessTV, which was acquired by the movie studio last year. Purchase price gossip rounds the amount up for $150 million and will be headed by Awesomeness by CEO Brian Robbins.

DreamWorks CEO Jeffery Katzenberg spoke about the launch and why buying Awesomeness was so vital. “We’re tapping into the invaluable knowledge that Brian has amassed from his success with AwesomenessTV to create a unique, short-form, laugh-out-loud mobile experience for families.”

Robbins embraces the latest project. “We are combining the DreamWorks brand with lessons learned from AwesomenessTV to create content that will be embraced by families everywhere.”

The channel launches with two original series. Gorillavilla, an animated series about three gorillas continuously causing mayhem in a wildlife preserve, and Record Setter Kids, a series hosted by Youtuber JennXPenn that follows kids willing to break off-the-wall records.

Other content will include OMG, a sketchy comedy series with children comedians, and animated series Public Pool, David Fremont’s animated comedy series that follows all the drama at Puddleton Public Pool. 

A nice mix of content focusing on family friendly, all-age viewing seems to be goal of the channel. And channels have been gained momentum in original, niche programming, thanks to offerings such as WIGS focusing on the lives of women through script. 

Of course, big payouts can come from the stars of YouTube as well. 

Natalie Jarvey discusses the impact big paychecks through ad revenue in “Maker Studio’s PewDiePie Grossed $4 Million in 2013.” 

Google has been amassing a strong brand through vlogging in a variety of creative ways. PewDiePie, real name Felix Kjellberg, earned his reputation by live streaming as he played videos. 

In the past five years, he’s gained 27 million channel subscribers and his reviews can either make-or-break a video game’s success rate. Kjellberg’s not the first to be a game vlogger but probably one of the most, if not the most, successful on the website.  

Disney recently purchased Maker Studios, who manages his channel, for $950 million. High number but not when you consider how much revenue brings alone. While the manager percentage of amount remains unknown, Google usually take 45 percent. That mean whatever is left is simply profit for the London-based 24-year-old. 

Looking at the numbers, it’s easy to see why businesses are willing to pay a substantial amount for a profitable venture. 

The internet is changing and vlogging, scripted series, and reviews make bank. And studies are definitely looking to make more bank.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, The Hollywood Reporter