Credit: Edited by Inside the MagicDid MrBeast just sell his 242 million subscriber YouTube channel to Disney?!
If you are a fan of MrBeast, you know that he has grown to be the most successful YouTuber on the platform over recent years. From his Squid Game in real life challenges, to his buried alive challenges, to giving away millions of dollars, giving thousands of strangers their sight at no medical cost, rebuilding impoverished cities, surviving in an abandoned town, going on the move, lavish vacations as well as the cheapest, giving away a full island, and so much more — MrBeast has innovated on the YouTube platform like no other ever has.
Now, there are thousands of others copying the style that Beast has perfected, getting people to watch a new couch-gripping challenge every week.
Recently, Sportskeeda reported that “rumors have circulated regarding a potential deal between the streamer and mass media conglomerate Disney, sparking speculation about the sale of a portion of his channel’s rights.” Considering the official Disney YouTube account has a mere 5.76 million subscribers, taking over Jimmy’s channel would certainly give the House of Mouse some social media clout to play with.
The rumor began after the X account Lobster posted a podcast clip that stated MrBeast sold his account to Disney for $5 billion.
Famous youtuber MrBeast sold his youtube channel to Disney??
Famous youtuber MrBeast sold his youtube channel to Disney?? pic.twitter.com/yXTkU7UOte
— lobster (@lobstergangway) March 3, 2024
Jimmy then replied to the video which was going viral on the MrBeast X account stating, “Disney does not own any part of my channel.”
Disney does not own any part of my channel.
— MrBeast (@MrBeast) March 4, 2024
Considering how highly dedicated the MrBeast channel has been when it comes to pushing the boundaries on creativity and storytelling in a YouTube video, and how financially successful it is, it did seem like a stretch to believe that Jimmy and his team would be hanging up their hat.
Comments on the post following Jimmy’s comment have accused the Lobster account of sharing fake news, and are encouraging Jimmy to engage in legal action. If one were to listen to the entirety of the podcast, they would see that the conversation was then said to be a joke, and that the creators were just messing around. That being said, that is not the part that made it onto the internet, and therefore, that is not what the majority of people had assumed after watching this shortened clip.
Disney CEO Bob Iger is certainly no stranger to acquiring brands and companies, as he has acquired Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm during his run, but Disney has yet to buy out a social media presence. However after seeing the amount of time spent on the platform, so they are certainly aware of and chasing partnerships that pull in viewers.
Jimmy Donaldson found viral success in January 2017 with a video of himself counting to 100,000, quickly followed by a count to 200,000, and other attention-grabbing stunts like spinning a Fidget Spinner for 24 hours and enduring 10 hours of Jake Paul’s “It’s Everyday Bro” music video. This viral fame led him to drop out of college and fully commit to YouTube, where he continues to thrive.
Beyond YouTube, Donaldson is also an entrepreneur, having launched ventures like the virtual restaurant brand MrBeast Burger in 2020 and a supposedly healthier chocolate business called Feastables in 2022. Despite his immense success, which reportedly earns him between $600 to $700 million annually, Donaldson maintains a humble outlook, reinvesting much of his earnings back into his projects.
As noted by Business Insider, “Donaldson claims he isn’t personally wealthy. “I mean, not right now,” he told the outlet. “I’m not naive; maybe one day. But right now, whatever we make, we reinvest.” Donaldson, 25, said he doesn’t even have access to his bank accounts, and that his mom is “the one who has access to the master bank account.” Every video earns “a couple million” from ads and “a couple million in brand deals,” he said. But that all goes back into making more.”
You can take a look at the level of detail that goes into his videos by checking one of his recent ones out below:
He’s also known for his philanthropy, such as opening a car dealership where he gives away cars for free and regularly donating thousands of dollars to small streamers on Twitch and YouTube, as well as to service workers like waitresses and Uber drivers in person. Despite his considerable wealth and generosity, Donaldson remains grounded, expressing that he doesn’t consider himself wealthy and emphasizing his commitment to giving back and reinvesting in his endeavors.
Are you a fan of MrBeast? Would Disney ruin his channel if they ever took over?