Mr. Beast, the YouTuber known for his huge payouts, is going bigger than ever with his new show on Amazon's Prime Video.
The mega-popular YouTube creator, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, announced a deal with Prime Video for the reality-competition show „Beast Games,” promising the winner a $5 million cash prize — believed to be the largest single payout ever on TV. History.
Details of the specific challenges featured in the „Beast Games” are under wraps. According to Prime Video, the show will feature 1,000 contestants competing for a single $5 million cash payout in a „fast-paced and high-production format.”
MrBeast will serve as host and executive producer of „Beast Games.” No premiere date has been set for the show, which will be available exclusively on Prime Video worldwide. Variety previously reported that MrBeast was in talks with Prime Video for a reality-competition show.
„My goal is to make the best show possible and prove that YouTubers and creators can succeed on other platforms,” MrBeast said in a statement. „Amazon has given me creative control and I have to try. I hope to make the YouTube community proud.
Jennifer Salke, president of Amazon MGM Studios, commented, “MrBeast has captured the attention and imagination of fans of all ages and from all walks of life. We are excited to work with Jimmy and his talented team to bring his exciting, high-production and stake-raising concepts to our global customers at Beast Games.
„When Mr. Beast first told us about his idea for the show, we were blown away by his ambition to make Beast Games the biggest reality competition series,” said Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios. Sanders thanks the team at Spotter, including founder Aaron DeBevoise and president Nick Ball. said, for introducing him to MrBeast for “kickstarting this journey for us.” Spotter, which pays YouTube creators for the rights to monetize their video libraries and help grow their fan base, counts MrBeast as a client.
Donaldson, 25, is the most followed YouTube creator on the platform, with more than 245 million subscribers to his main channel. His most viewed video on YouTube to date (with 588 million views and counting) is his 2021 „Squid Game” rerun The winning Netflix mirrored the show's elimination challenges and the winner was awarded $446,000. Forbes says MrBeast, who currently works and lives in Greenville, NC, generated $82 million in gross revenue in the 12-month period from June 2022 to June 2023 — more than double that of any other digital creator.
Donaldson's business ventures include Feastables, chocolate bars and other snack foods, and the Mr. Beast Burger restaurant. Last year Donaldson sued Virtual Dining Concepts, seeking to terminate his contract with the virtual restaurant company that operated Mr. Beast Burger, calling the burgers it served „disgusting”, „revolting” and „inedible”, among other things, and damaging his reputation. VDC sued MrBeast for $100 million, claiming breach of contract.
Donaldson has helped raise millions of dollars for charitable causes. He also co-founded #TeamTrees, a fundraiser for the Arbor Day Foundation that raised nearly $25 million for campaigns to plant more than 24 million trees, and #TeamSeas for the Ocean Conservancy and Ocean Cleanup, which raised more than $33 million. Garbage should be removed from oceans, rivers and beaches. His Beast Philanthropy charity has distributed more than 15 million free meals to date and has expanded to include projects worldwide, including freshwater wells in Cameroon, homes for the homeless in Costa Rica, and homes for hurricane victims in Kentucky.