PewDiePie Has Signed An Exclusive Streaming Deal With YouTube

Felix Kjellberg AKA PewDiePie was one of the earliest success stories of online gaming content, having had millions of followers and pulling in millions in revenue for years.

Despite being one of YouTube's breakout gaming stars, he found himself in hot water with the company after creating an anti-Semetic stunt, with YouTube cancelling his reality show and pulling him from many of its ads. But now it appears PewDiePie is back in the good books, having partnered with YouTube to stream exclusively with them, the Washington Post reports.

While he pulls in a large audience, PewDiePie has repeatedly created controversy, usually followed by an apology, followed by dropping a racial slur in a livestream, followed by yet more apologies. After dodging any major controversies in the last few years, YouTube is giving him a second chance.

Unlike other big gaming content creators, PewDiePie has never focused on streaming as much as his regular video offerings, though that is looking to change with his new YouTube deal.

"Live streaming is something I’m focusing a lot in 2020 and beyond, so to be able to partner with YouTube and be at the forefront of new product features is special and exciting for the future," he said in a press release by YouTube.

As of May 2019, PewDiePie is no longer the most subscribed-to YouTube channel, with Indian music label T-Series finally claiming the crown.