YouTube Signs PewDiePie In An Exclusive Deal

Felix Kjellberg, popularly known as PewDiePie, is YouTube’s biggest individual content creator with over 104 million subscribers on the platform. He is also one of the most influential personalities on the internet, as his videos have surpassed 25 billion views. PewDiePie’s YouTube channel dates back to 2010. He began his journey by uploading gameplay and commentary videos on games like Minecraft, Amnesia, and Call of Duty.

Over the years, PewDiePie evolved his content to include a wide range of comedy and reaction videos based on a variety of topics. It brought him immense success, a huge fan following, as well as millions in revenue. Earlier in 2019, the 30-year-old Swede had switched to live-streaming for DLive and gained over 820,000 followers.

On May 4, YouTube announced that PewDiePie signed a deal to live-stream exclusively on the platform owned by Google. However, the statement included no specifications about the monetary incentives of his agreement with YouTube.

Exclusivity Deals: YouTube vs Twitch vs Mixer

It is quite evident that the big video-streaming platforms have been going head to head to secure exclusive deals for prominent gaming content creators/influencers. Google owns YouTube, Twitch belongs to Amazon, whereas Mixer is Microsoft’s streaming platform.

YouTube has recently signed other notable gamers like CouRage, LazarBeam, Muselk, and Valkyrae. Last year, Mixer bagged Ninja and Shroud in multi-year, multi-million dollar exclusivity deals. Twitch already has some of the most prominent gamers streaming on the platform, like DrDisrespect, Tfue, xQc, and many more.

In contrast to most of the prominent gaming personalities, streaming hasn’t been a focal point for PewDiePie’s stardom. He mentioned new features playing a pivotal role in his decision to return to live-streaming on YouTube. “Live-streaming is something I’m focusing a lot on in 2020 and beyond, so to be able to partner with YouTube and be at the forefront of new product features is special and exciting for the future,” the Swede said in a YouTube press release.

PewDiePie Has Been a Controversial Figure Over The Years

Felix Kjellberg’s rise to global stardom has also featured him in multiple controversies. Nevertheless, he has always remained a fan favorite.

In September 2017, PewDiePie dropped the n-word on an opponent during live-streaming PlayerUnknown’s BattleGrounds on YouTube. However, he promptly apologized for the incident. Earlier that year, Disney revoked their ties with the content-creator over allegations of anti-Semitism. He admitted the Nazi jokes he used in some of his videos were offensive; neither does he support “any kind of hateful attitudes.” But he also emphasized that “context matters.”

A gunman, who carried out mass-shooting at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand referenced PewDiePie. “Remember lads, subscribe to PewDiePie,” said the perpetrator before carrying out the attacks. In response, the Swede tweeted his objection, claiming he was “sickened” and offered sympathies to those struck by the tragedy.