Hello,

We are looking to raise awareness and start a plea for fairness and equality in the world of content creation, particularly for those of us producing content tailored for children on YouTube. 

My name is Will Jones, co-founder of Bebomo TV, a channel dedicated to crafting fun, engaging, and educational content for kids through nursery rhymes and stories.

Our journey began in February 2022, filled with passion and excitement to make a positive impact in children's lives. Over time, our channel gained momentum, reaching milestones of over 3,000 subscribers, millions of views, and a dedicated audience hungry for more wholesome content. However, despite our success, we encountered a significant roadblock that threatens the sustainability of our endeavor: the unfair pay rates for 'made for kids' content creators on YouTube.

As it stands, the current system disproportionately favours established giants like Cocomelon, leaving newcomers like us struggling to make ends meet. While we wholeheartedly support COPPA regulations aimed at protecting children, we cannot ignore the harsh reality that these rules have inadvertently stifled creativity and innovation among new creators.

Allow me to present the evidence:
For every million views, a standard YouTube channel earns an average of $7560* or £5992.89. In stark contrast, 'made for kids' channels like ours receive a mere fraction of that amount, approximately $315 or £250 per million views. This discrepancy makes it financially unsustainable for us to continue producing high-quality content that both educates and entertains our young audience.

Our team has tirelessly poured our hearts and resources into creating captivating animations, original music, voiceovers, and editing—all while operating at a loss. Despite our best efforts to trim expenses, we find ourselves at a crossroads, unable to sustain our channel's growth and impact.

That being said,  we believe there is a solution!
It is time for YouTube to take action and level the playing field for new 'made for kids' creators. I propose a fair and gradual adjustment to the earnings structure, tailored to support creators at every stage of their journey:

Algorithm Leniency for New Creators: YouTube must prioritise the visibility of new 'made for kids' content, giving it equal opportunity to thrive alongside established channels.

Progressive Earnings Scale: Implement a tiered earnings system based on subscriber count, starting with 40-50% of standard rates for creators with 0-50,000 subscribers and gradually scaling up as channels grow (See below for suggested outline).

Proposal for YouTube Support Program for New Creators

Objective: To foster and support the growth of new creators on YouTube by providing a structured approach to earnings based on subscriber milestones.

Plan:

0 - 50,000 Subscribers:

YouTube will pay new creators the equivalent of 40-50% of what a standard channel would earn.
This initial phase is crucial for new creators to establish themselves and build their business. Higher earnings percentage during this phase would provide the necessary support to flourish.

50,001 - 75,000 Subscribers:

As creators progress towards the milestone of 75,000 subscribers, YouTube will adjust earnings to 30-40% of what a 'normal' channel would earn.
With increasing subscribers, creators are likely to experience a growth in views. Adjusting earnings percentage reflects this growth trajectory and encourages creators to aim for further milestones.

75,001 - 100,000 Subscribers:

At this stage, creators are closer to reaching the significant milestone of 100,000 subscribers. Therefore, YouTube will lower earnings further to 20-30% of what a standard channel earns.
This adjustment prepares creators for the transition to the next phase while still providing support during their growth journey.

100,000 - 1,000,000 Subscribers:

Creators who achieve between 100,000 to 1,000,000 subscribers will receive 10-20% of what a normal channel would earn.
By this stage, creators are expected to have a well-established channel capable of consistently delivering quality content. The earnings percentage reflects this level of maturity and stability in the creator's business.

1,000,001+ Subscribers:

Creators who surpass the milestone of 1,000,000 subscribers will transition to the current rate of earning for made-for-kids creators.
At this point, the channel has been cultivated, proven successful, and contributes significantly to the platform. The market is enriched with diverse content from emerging creators. Hence, the channel should be able to sustain itself with the standard rate of earnings.

Rationale:

This tiered approach ensures that new creators receive adequate support during their initial growth stages while gradually acclimating them to the standard earning rates on YouTube.

It incentivises creators to strive for higher subscriber milestones by offering progressively decreasing earnings percentages, reflecting their increasing maturity and success on the platform.

By aligning earnings with subscriber milestones, YouTube encourages the production of high-quality, engaging content while nurturing a diverse ecosystem of creators.

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This approach not only acknowledges the financial realities faced by new creators but also fosters a nurturing environment where innovation and creativity can flourish. By investing in the success of emerging talent, YouTube demonstrates its commitment to diversity, fairness, and the future of children's content without handing the market to the well established channels that have the ability to release 4 videos a day and flood the market.

Join me in urging YouTube to enact these crucial changes and ensure a bright future for all 'made for kids' creators.

Together, we can make a difference and create a platform where every voice is heard, valued, and empowered to inspire the next generation.

Thank you for your support and advocacy,

Will Jones & Josh Taylor - Co-founders, Bebomo TV

Email Us: fixmadeforkids@gmail.com

#FixYouTubeMadeForKids

Bebomo TV YouTube Channel

*Youtube Video proving earnings per million views for 'standard' channels

Screenshot of our Channel Overview taken on 27/03/24 proving subs, views and earnings to date: