YouTube Millionaires: Tested’s “Huge Nerds” Build Gadgets, Audience

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.

Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman are well-known as the co-hosts of Mythbusters, Discovery’s long-running quest to debunk scientific misinformation. On the Internet, though, is where they really let their imaginations run wild. Savage and Hyneman, along with co-hosts Norman Chan and Will Smith, are the creative forces behind Tested, a YouTube channel that has passed one million subscribers. On Tested, which is derived from a website of the same name, the four hosts build fun gadgets, check out new technology, and collaborate with their friends in the scientific community. Here’s what the Tested team had to say about its YouTube success:

Tubefilter: How does it feel to have one million subscribers? What do you have to say to your fans?

Tested: We’re thrilled to reach the one million subscriber milestone, and really appreciate all the support our viewers have given us since we started posting videos to YouTube. “A Dog Tests the iPad” was one of the first things we put up, and since then we’ve explored molecular gastronomy, built robot spiders, and even sent burrito recipes to the International Space Station.

TF: The Tested channel has a diverse array of content. What, if anything, would you say is the theme that most unifies its videos?

TST: One of the things we want to get across all of our videos is our enthusiasm for the products we test and the amazing people we meet. We’re huge nerds, and love meeting people who are obsessed about their projects the same way we are about making things.

TF: What is Tested’s relationship with Mythbusters? How has the show’s legacy affected the channel?

TST: Teaming up with Jamie and Adam has allowed us to share their passions and side projects that they don’t have the opportunity to show on Mythbusters. Both Jamie and Adam make amazing things in their spare time, and we are privileged to tell the in-depth story of their builds every step along the way. Our videos give Adam and Jamie’s dedicated fanbase a different perspective of the guys; our projects share the ethos of making and critical thinking that Jamie and Adam have always championed, but in our own style. For example, we don’t blow things up!

TF: How do the “One Day Builds” strike a balance between informative content and entertainment?

TST: We love producing the One Day Builds, because Adam’s naturally infectious enthusiasm comes across throughout the build. The thing we find most entertaining and satisfying about those builds isn’t necessary the finished product, but the problem solving that happens along the way. We value the process above all, and Adam’s experience as a fabricator and incredible attention to detail brings out the fun in that process.

TF: Have there been any projects planned for Tested that you have not been able to complete?

TST: Failure is always an option. A favorite video we made was an experiment with high-speed camera and water balloons, but we didn’t get the results we anticipated. It allowed us to revisit the idea over a year later with better equipment and perform the test in front of a live audience.

TF: How much does Tested consider its fans when choosing which projects to embark on?

TST: We wants our videos to encourage viewers to build their own projects, whether that means diving into LEGO or learning Japanese papercraft. We’re often learning processes ourselves when we take on a project, so our hope is that viewers get the bug to make as they follow along.

TF: Most popular YouTube channels thrive on short-form content. Why do you think Tested has seen success on long-form videos?

TST: When we plan our videos, we don’t think about them in terms of length. We make both short and long videos, and our producer Joey Fameli shoots and edits them to suit the content. We want to tell interesting stories, and sometimes the best way to do that is a 45 minute build video or hourlong conversation. The thing we’ve learned over the years is that as long as the story and content is compelling, long videos will find an audience. And those viewers end up being the ones that help build and strengthen our community. It’s our job to keep it interesting and informative, and to be honest with our viewers.

TF: How do you think upcoming innovations in technology will affect the Tested channel?

TST: Coming from a tech coverage background, we feel well-equipped to dive into the nitty-gritty of emerging technologies. Whether that’s rapid prototyping, virtual reality, or RC multi-rotors, we thrive on being early adopters and testing those things out. We want to know how these things work and think about how they may become part of our everyday lives.

TF: What’s next for the channel? Any fun plans?

TST: The second season of our “Talking Room” interview series is coming back soon, and we’re exploring collaborations with other YouTubers. Plus, we’re already planning for Comic-Con, where Adam will unveil his annual Incognito costumes.

On Deck (channels that will soon reach one million subscribers): Mojang, Aypierre, Kian And Jc