YouTube is “Channeling” its biggest stars through a new interview series

The most iconic stars in the YouTube universe have now been active on the platform for decades, and a new web series celebrates the accomplishments of some of those luminaries. On YouTube’s official channel, viewers can check out Channeling, which kicks off with a profile of Chilean creator Germán Garmendia.

Garmendia was one of the first creators from Latin America to achieve international recognition on YouTube and is now one of the only people in the world who has two channels with at least 40 million subscribers apiece. Across his HolaSoyGermán and JuegaGermán hubs, Garmendia has collected more than 23 billion lifetime views since his YouTube journey began in 2011.

When so many people are hanging onto your every upload, it puts immense pressure on you to deliver as a creator. Garmendia’s response to that pressure is one of the central themes in Channeling. The series takes viewers inside the massive studio space Garmendia uses to shoot his new videos while also exploring his creative philosophy and his relationship with his fans.

“My audience has taught me to grow,” Garmendia said. “It’s like a friend who from time to time checks you. Like, I love you, but maybe it’s time to talk about this.”

Garmendia’s growth from a kid with a dream to a multiplatform superstar is a story many of YouTube’s top draws can tell. That’s what makes Channeling a compelling series. As creators pull out all the stops so that they can continue upping the ante for millions of fans, YouTube is eager to share their passion with viewers.

On a more analytical note, Channeling represents YouTube’s ongoing commitment to the formats that thrive on its platform. From Hot Ones to Last Meals, eclectic interview series are all the rage right now, which is why YouTube’s official channel hosts shows like Watch History and Unlisted. That hub even offers some hour-long focus mixes, in case the ones Lofi Girl provides aren’t enough for you.

YouTube has never been shy about feting its top creators, which is why it has handed out golden play buttons to channels with one million subscribers since 2012. An evolving platform, however, requires evolving forms of recognition. Channeling is a fresh look at some of YouTube’s most famous names, and it feels a little more personal than a giant slab of precious metal.