The streamer Benjamin “DrLupo” Lupo (34) is currently number 25 in followers worldwide on Twitch. The former star of Fortnite is switching exclusively to the competitor YouTube. We at MeinMMO look into what is behind this switch. It is noticeable: YouTube prefers “nice” streamers, and apparently they pay handsomely.
This is DrLupo on Twitch:
- The 34-year-old American has 4.48 million followers on Twitch. That is 25th place. However, only about 9,000 viewers watch him when he streams. That is currently enough for 216th place.
- DrLupo’s channel grew significantly in 2018 – that year DrLupo gained 2.7 million followers. At that time, DrLupo was part of the group with the Twitch streamer Ninja, who dominated the online shooter Fortnite alongside several other content creators on Twitch.
- Today, DrLupo primarily streams games like Escape from Tarkov or Destiny 2. He became known for his charity actions. He has raised money multiple times for a children’s hospital.
“Set for life”
This is what DrLupo says about his switch: In an interview with the Washington Post, DrLupo says the contract brings a “life-changing windfall” (via washingtonpost). Now he has more opportunities to spend time with his family.
Although he does not reveal exactly how much money he is getting for the switch, he says it is an amount that changes his life.
He has streamed 60 to 70 hours a week for years, now it’s about getting his “sheep into safety”. He sees nothing wrong with that. Ultimately, everyone does it. That’s why everyone gets up in the morning and goes to work.
“So of course, the financial situation that YouTube is offering me ensures that I am set for life. Everyone is trying to reach this goal. So, why should I say no to that?”
DrLupo says he is “secure for life” with the exclusive contract.
On YouTube, DrLupo wants to continue playing and showing videos, but also try new things, move towards vlogging, or provide a behind-the-scenes look.
From Fortnite Fame to Lucrative Contract
This is exciting about the switch: DrLupo’s fame primarily emerged during the “Fortnite” phase in 2018 and 2019. Epic’s online shooter was an absolute hit on Twitch at that time.
Regularly, the then most successful Twitch streamer Ninja assembled a group of four with other Twitch streamers: They went hunting together, shooting a lot of “normal players” in the game, entertaining each other and the viewers.
The group fell apart when Ninja switched to Mixer for a lot of money, and Fortnite’s star began to sink.
- The streamer Jack “CouRage” Dunlop already monetized this time early: He switched to YouTube in 2019.
- Two of the streamers with whom Ninja played frequently were NickMercs and TimTheTatman. Both later developed into top streamers on Twitch without Ninja. They remained on Twitch, played Call of Duty Warzone, and achieved high viewer numbers.
- DrLupo and Ninja himself have disappeared from the top ranks in terms of concurrent viewer numbers.
In this respect, YouTube is buying a big name with DrLupo here, but someone who is no longer among the absolute top streamers on Twitch.
“Being nice” is really lucrative for streamers
Why is YouTube acquiring the streamer from Twitch?: DrLupo fits into YouTube’s “buying pattern”:
- DrLupo has an absolutely impeccable reputation and is considered a somewhat mature, family-friendly streamer who acts almost paternal towards his young viewers.
- DrLupo already has a large presence on YouTube. So far, he has 1.75 million subscribers there. Twitch streamers usually use their YouTube channels for secondary content and upload clips of their streams there.
In the past, YouTube has exclusively secured the services of such “friendly Twitch streamers”, such as CouRage or Valkyrae.
The “difficult” streamer DrDisrespect has, on the other hand, been secured “for free” without being given an exclusive contract.
YouTube’s buying pattern seems to be focused on Twitch streamers who are “brand-safe”, meaning advertising-friendly, and who already have a significant presence on YouTube.
For YouTube, it is important to buy “credibility” in live streaming. While YouTube is a huge video platform, it trails Twitch in “live streaming”.
While YouTube has secured Valkyrae, the most successful young woman that could be torn away from Twitch, it has now acquired DrLupo, a “dad” who apparently wants to take it a bit easier on YouTube.
YouTube steals a 28-year-old from Twitch, makes her the “biggest streamer in the world”
