Welcome to Created, the newsletter that has more holiday spirit than Mariah Carey’s Christmas album. Here’s what we got for you:
- How Kai Cenat broke records…again
- The Sidemen move to Netflix
- Weekly roundup of top YouTube thumbnails
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Kai Cenat Shatters Twitch Subscribe Record
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Kai Cenat wrapped up his month-long Mafiathon 2 on November 30, shattering Twitch records with over 725,000 peak subscribers — more than double the previous record.
The Numbers
- Consecutive Hours Streamed: 670
- Peak Live Viewers: 632,362
- Followers Gained: 1.7 million
- Hours Watched: 80 million
Celebrity Drop-Ins
Mafiathon 2 drew an eclectic lineup of guests, including Snoop Dogg, Miranda Cosgrove, Serena Williams, Bill Nye, and more.
Highlights included:
- Kai toured Snoop’s L.A. compound and teased future collaborations.
- A skit called “KaiCarly” for longtime iCarly fans.
- Late night sleep-over shenanigans with Kai, Druski, and Kevin Hart.
Plus, Ironmouse made a surprise appearance, where she gifted Kai a custom virtual avatar.
Did It All Go Smoothly?
Not always, which is hard for a month-long stream. Here’s the flip side:
- Health Concerns: Fans worried as Kai spat up blood on Day 22.
- Celebrity Drama: appearance by Chris Brown sparked criticism.
- Livestream Intensity: Nonstop schedule raised questions about the physical and mental toll of marathon streaming.
Quote: “You’ve got to put yourself in a position that’s going to make you achieve and be great,” Cenat said. “Think different, be different, live different.”
In It For The Long Haul
Twitch streamer emilycc, who also appeared in Mafiathon 2, has streamed continuously for over three years.
Her endurance-based approach contrasted with Kai’s spectacle-filled event, showing the varied ways creators are innovating in the livestreaming space.
Our Take:
From officiating a “wedding” to a live drum performance by Travis Barker, Cenat is hands-down the modern late night show now.
Plus, he’s using his platform for good by pledging to donate 20% of his earnings to build a school in Nigeria, tying his success to meaningful change.
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The Sidemen’s Big Move to Netflix
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The Sidemen, one of YouTube’s most iconic groups, are taking their reality show Inside to Netflix.
Backstory:
Starting in the 2010s with gaming and reaction videos, The Sidemen have grown into a powerhouse with comedy sketches, travel challenges, podcasts, and dating shows.
Their latest hit? Inside, a Big Brother-style show where influencers compete for £1M. Its premiere racked up 14M views on YouTube and caught Netflix’s attention.
Now, the second UK season and a new US version will debut on Netflix in 2024.
Why Netflix?
Vik Barn (aka Vikkstar123) explained:
- New Audiences: “We’ve hit a ceiling with YouTube… now we’re thinking about how to connect with different people.”
- Creative Control: The Sidemen will stay executive producers to maintain their fast-paced, authentic style.
- Global Reach: Netflix offers access to broader international audiences.
Bigger Picture
The Sidemen aren’t the only creators branching out to streaming platforms:
Our Take
The Sidemen’s move to Netflix is ambitious but not without risks. Streaming platforms bring a new level of exposure but come with their own challenges, like region-locking and slower production timelines.
If they can keep their dynamic, authentic style intact, this could pave the way for more YouTubers to expand into streaming.
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🎯 Weekly Roundup: Thumbnails
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Here’s why we love these YT thumbnails. Hopefully they inspire your next one.
- Bright laser beams + glowing sphere immediately catches the eye (Veritasium)
- Giant pizza in a fire pit is impossible to scroll past (Wilderness Cooking)
- Weird roller shoes and candid photo spark curiosity (Zac Alsop)
- Contrasting colors (red & blue) make the thumbnail pop (Lexie Limitless)
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This video by Laurie Wang has got 1.4M views which is 92 times higher than the channel’s average. Here’s why it took off:
- Emotional Hook: Regrets of the dying draw viewers into a relatable, emotional topic.
- Inspiring Takeaway: Laurie highlights joy in authenticity, offering actionable life lessons.
- Empowering Message: Clarity comes from doing” inspires action without waiting for perfection.
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🏆 The Created Referral Program
Know someone who’d also love this newsletter? Refer them and get gifts.
Refer 1 friend: you’ll get my Infinite Ideas book. It’s my 8 best tips to find viral ideas for your next upload.
Refer 5 friends: you’ll get my Top 50 Thumbnails book. It includes a detailed breakdown of why they work so you improve your packaging.
Trust me, these books are packed with more tips than most paid courses.
Copy this unique link and email, text, or post it: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE]
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👋 See You Inside
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– Jon
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