YouTube has become a global platform that not only offers entertainment but also serves as a source of income for many content creators. In this article, we will examine the top YouTubers who made the most money in 2015. Based on various sources, including ad revenue, brand deals, and merchandise sales, here are the ten most lucrative YouTube channels of that year:
1. PewDiePie
With over 50 million subscribers, PewDiePie, also known as Felix Kjellberg, was one of the highest-earning YouTubers in 2015. His gaming commentary videos and comedic style attracted a massive audience and lucrative brand deals. PewDiePie reportedly earned over $12 million in that year alone.
Not only was he able to monetize his content through ad revenue, but he also gained sponsorships and created his own merchandise, contributing significantly to his overall earnings.
2. Smosh
Created by Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla, Smosh is a comedy duo that gained popularity through sketch comedy videos. With their witty humor, they amassed a vast following, leading to multiple revenue streams, including ad revenue, merchandise sales, and movie deals. Smosh raked in an estimated $8.5 million in 2015.
3. Fine Brothers Entertainment
The Fine Brothers, Benny and Rafi, became prominent on YouTube with their “React” video series. With their success, they launched a media company, Fine Brothers Entertainment, which generated revenue through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. In 2015, their total earnings accumulated to approximately $8.1 million.
4. Lindsey Stirling
Lindsey Stirling’s unique blend of violin playing and dancing captivated millions of viewers. Her channel amassed a significant fanbase, leading to lucrative deals and live performances. In 2015, she earned approximately $6 million through YouTube, brand collaborations, and music sales.
5. Rhett and Link
Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, popularly known as Rhett and Link, gained fame through their comedy sketches and music videos. Their channel earned revenue from ads, merchandise, and a successful podcast. These ventures helped them accumulate around $4.5 million in 2015.
6. KSI
KSI, a British YouTuber, initially gained fame through his FIFA gaming videos. Over time, he diversified his content, which included vlogs, music, and challenges. KSI’s personality attracted sponsorships, ad revenue, and music sales, resulting in earnings of approximately $4 million in 2015.
7. Michelle Phan
Michelle Phan became one of the earliest YouTube beauty gurus, gaining a massive following through her makeup tutorials. In addition to ad revenue, she released her own line of cosmetics and partnered with beauty brands. Phan’s total earnings in 2015 were estimated to be around $3 million.
8. Roman Atwood
Known for his prank and vlogging videos, Roman Atwood’s engaging content earned him a significant number of subscribers. Through ad revenue and merchandise sales, he earned approximately $2.5 million in 2015.
9. Zoella
Zoella, or Zoe Sugg, is a British beauty and lifestyle vlogger who quickly gained a large following with her cheerful and relatable videos. Her success as an influencer led to book deals, a beauty product line, and ad revenue that summed up to about $2.3 million in 2015.
10. The Slow Mo Guys
Gavin Free and Daniel Gruchy, known as The Slow Mo Guys, became prominent for their slow-motion videos that captured the attention of millions. Their popularity led to brand partnerships, ad revenue, and other business ventures, contributing to earnings of approximately $2 million in 2015.
It is important to note that these figures are estimates and may not reflect the complete financial picture for each YouTuber. Content creators often have additional revenue streams beyond those listed here.
In conclusion, the top YouTubers in terms of earnings in 2015 were PewDiePie, Smosh, Fine Brothers Entertainment, Lindsey Stirling, Rhett and Link, KSI, Michelle Phan, Roman Atwood, Zoella, and The Slow Mo Guys.
References:
1. Forbes – “The World’s Highest-Paid YouTube Stars 2015”
2. Business Insider – “The top 15 highest-paid YouTube stars of 2015”
About the Author:
John Smith is a digital media enthusiast and content creator. He has been tracking the growth and monetization of online platforms for several years. With a keen interest in YouTube, John provides insights into the business side of content creation. He regularly writes informative articles on various aspects of digital media.
Article Image: The author, John Smith, has created an original infographic depicting the top-earning YouTubers in 2015.
