PewDiePie might be the most subscribed to personality on YouTube, but that doesn’t make him invincible in the eyes of public sponsors.
Variety reports Disney’s Maker Studios ended its relationship with the content creator following multiple pranks/jokes related to anti-semitism. Last month, PewDiePie hired two Indian men to make a video, holding up a sign reading “Death to All Jews.” PewDiePie argued the video was a response to the website Fiverr, where people can pay desperate freelancers to do whatever they want. The social commentary was received poorly.
Maker Studios wasn’t the only entity to pull resources from PewDiePie, as YouTube Red canceled the second season of “Scare PewDiePie” and pulled his channel from the “Google Preferred,” section.
PewDiePie isn’t a racist, but clearly, his edgy jokes crossed the line big time. The popular YouTuber has struggled to reinvent himself to older audiences since he became established as a game commentary channel.
Making anti-semitic jokes, no matter what his intentions were, is pathetic.
PewDiePie ultimately gave the business and companies he aligned with no choice but to let him go. Edgy content is fine, as long as it doesn’t blur the lines of parody. Unfortunately for him, his content did.
Will more companies and sponsors pull support away from PewDiePie? I’d guess, yes. YouTube Red and Maker Studios are huge players in the industry.
[Variety]
