MrBeast's release strategy for Season 2 of 'Beast Games' highlights a key concern creators have with TV
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Prime Video
- MrBeast is making the first episode of "Beast Games" Season 2 copyright-free on Prime Video.
- That will enable people to share reaction clips without fear of repercussions.
- Season 2 features 200 contestants competing for over $10 million in prizes.
MrBeast is blurring the lines between YouTube and TV in a new way with the release of season two of his reality TV hit, "Beast Games," on Amazon's Prime Video.
The superstar YouTuber, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, announced that the first episode will be copyright-free. That'll enable people to share reaction clips to their heart's content without fear of repercussions on platforms like Google's YouTube and Amazon's Twitch. The show kicks off on Wednesday.
It's only for one episode, but it gives MrBeast a way to have his TV cake and eat it, too — and for Amazon to juice exposure for the show.
The Amazon deal exposed MrBeast to a new audience and enabled him to create a big-budget spectacle that would have been difficult to make economically viable if it ran on YouTube. However, a potential risk was that MrBeast's fans might not follow him to Prime Video, which is behind a paywall requiring a Prime membership.
Last year, MrBeast uploaded part of the first season to YouTube to ensure his fans on that platform were aware of it. MrBeast is YouTube's top creator, with over 450 million subscribers, and regularly receives more than 100 million views and numerous comments on his YouTube videos.
Traditional media companies, such as Netflix and Fox, have been trying to stay relevant with younger viewers by striking deals with YouTube creators. The loss of fan interaction and decreased reach are concerns for some creators, though. In negotiating deals with podcasters, Netflix has told talent agents that it's exploring how to replicate community features for podcast hosts that it brings onto its platform.
Season 2 of "Beast Games," which features 100 "strong" and 100 "smart" contestants competing for more than $10 million in prizes, blends elements of TV and digital platforms in other ways.
It'll include a crossover episode with "Survivor," the famous reality TV show that "Beast Games" took inspiration from. And Twitch is promoting the season kickoff with a VIP screening on Tuesday featuring streamers alongside MrBeast.