Additional Coverage:
- MrBeast said making his Amazon show ‘Beast Games’ was ‘not a good’ financial move: ‘I lost tens of millions of dollars’ (businessinsider.com)
Local YouTube megastar MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, recently revealed some surprising financial information. Despite the success of his Amazon Prime Video show “Beast Games,” Donaldson admitted to losing “tens of millions of dollars” on the project.
In an interview, Donaldson stated the show’s production costs exceeded $100 million, with the sets for the first two episodes alone costing over $29 million. He acknowledged the financial hit, calling himself “an idiot” for the losses.
However, Donaldson expressed no regrets about the investment. He prioritized creating a high-quality first season to solidify the reputation of YouTubers on streaming platforms. He felt a responsibility to the YouTube community and believed failure would negatively impact future opportunities for online creators.
Interestingly, Donaldson revealed he keeps less than $1 million in his personal bank account. While he does take a salary, he focuses on reinvesting profits back into his brand, viewing money as “fuel to grow business.” He emphasized his desire to find businesses that benefit people and the planet.