YouTube Millionaires: AwesomenessTV Serves As “Inspiration To Young Creators”

Welcome to YouTube Millionaires, where we profile channels that have recently crossed the one million subscriber mark. There are channels crossing this threshold every week, and each has a story to tell about YouTube success. Read previous installments of YouTube Millionaires here.

AwesomenessTV is one of YouTube’s biggest networks. The teen-oriented hub encompasses tens of thousands of channels scoring billions of views. At the center of all of this action is the main AwesomenessTV YouTube channel, which recently crossed one million subscribers. We spoke to AwesomenessTV co-founder Joe Davola regarding this milestone.

Tubefilter: How does it feel to see more than one million subscribers on the main AwesomenessTV channel?

AwesomenessTV: Awesome! And it pushes us to get to 2 million and beyond.

TF: How do you decide which of the network’s creators to feature on the main channel?

ATV: If it’s a good creative video we put it on the channel. We are always looking for new creative talent behind and in front of the camera, and the channel is the best place to showcase it and the network is a great place to find it.

TF: How much do you think the content on the main channel is responsible for bringing new partners to the network?

ATV: Our channel is an inspiration to young creators, which is what our network and channel is made up of. By giving them an opportunity to be part of a community of established creators and up-and-coming creators, it provides a roadmap to channel success with the potential for a career opportunity.

TF: Are there any ways AwesomenessTV is changing as its core audience also grows older and changes?

ATV: We’re constantly refreshing our content, so change is part of the DNA. What’s important is that we are really listening to our audience and engaging in a two-way conversation with them.  That’s how we stay relevant to them.

TF: What role do brand partnerships play in AwesomenessTV’s continued growth? How has the main channel’s audience reacted to branded content?

ATV: This generation provides a unique challenge to marketers.  They don’t watch commercials.  So AwesomenessTV’s ability to work with big brands to produce branded content to connect with the audience is really valuable.  Our audience gets it and they love it.

TF: What are your plans for the AwesomenessTV show on Nickelodeon? Do you feel that show is distinct from the YouTube channel or merely an extension of it?

ATV: The show is an extension of the AwesomenessTV brand.  YouTube is a great partner for us.  We never could have scaled AwesomenessTV without it. But our business was never intended to completely rely on YouTube.  So we will continue to make content that can work on many different platforms.

TF: As for scripted programming like Runaways or Side Effects, what do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of releasing these types of shows online as opposed to through traditional avenues?

ATV: The advantage of releasing shows like Runaways or Side Effects online is that we’re immediately connecting with our audience.  We had over 2 million viewers for Side Effects in the first week.

TF: What’s next for AwesomenessTV? Any exciting things we should look out for in the future?

ATV: 2014 is going to be a great year for AwesomenessTV.  Stay tuned!

On Deck (channels that will soon reach one million subscribers): Funny or Die, Just Kidding Films, KidsTV123