‘Beast Games’ Competition Series From YouTuber MrBeast Ordered By Prime Video With $5 Million Payout
Prime Video has handed a series order to reality competition series Beast Games from YouTube personality MrBeast (né Jimmy Donaldson) and Amazon MGM Studios, with a $5 million grand prize – the biggest payout in TV history. As we reported in January, MrBeast was nearing a deal with Amazon for an unscripted competition series, but details were not revealed.
Based on his already successful YouTube show, Beast Games is touted “to become the biggest reality competition series ever with 1000 contestants competing for a $5 million dollar cash prize,” per the release. MrBeast will serve as host and executive producer. Beast Games will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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In November 2022, MrBeast became the most subscribed YouTube creator worldwide and now has over 244 million subscribers. His social media career began when he first posted on the platform at 13, though he rose to fame in 2017 when a video of MrBeast counting to 100,000 went viral.
“MrBeast has captured the attention and imagination of fans of all ages, from all walks of life, and all over the world,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios. “We are excited to work with Jimmy and his talented team to bring his brilliant, high production, and stakes-raising concepts to Beast Games for our global customers to experience.”
“When MrBeast first told us about his concept for the show, we were blown away by his ambition to make Beast Games the biggest reality competition series ever,” said Vernon Sanders, head of television, Amazon MGM Studios. “We’d like to thank Aaron DeBevoise, Nic Paul, and the Spotter team for the introduction and kickstarting this journey for us.”
Additionally Donaldson has other business and philanthropic interests. He is the founder of Feastables, a chocolate and snack brand company. He also is the co-creator of #TeamTrees, a fundraiser for the Arbor Day Foundation that Donaldson says has raised nearly $25 million to plant over 24 million trees, and #TeamSeas, a fundraiser for Ocean Conservancy and The Ocean Cleanup, which has raised over $33 million to remove trash out of oceans, rivers and beaches. In October 2020, he launched Beast Philanthropy, a charitable organization that focuses on global charity efforts to provide assistance to individuals in need.
“My goal is to make the greatest show possible and prove YouTubers and creators can succeed on other platforms,” said MrBeast, “Amazon gave me the creative control I need to try and make it happen. I hope to make the YouTube community proud.”
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