It’s Thursday and streaming services just scored a major victory over cable and broadcast TV. For the first time ever, linear television now makes up less than half of all TV usage.

TOXIC TECH?

Linus Tech Tips threw shade at 2 rival channels. Now, its creators are at the center of a PR nightmare.

A shady comment has turned into a major problem for Linus Tech Tips. During a tour of the channel’s studio, an employee remarked that “the difference between us and someone like Gamers Nexus or Hardware Unboxed is that we test new components, new tests, every time.”

Unsurprisingly, that comment wasn’t appreciated by the channel’s rivals. But Gamers Nexus and Hardware Unboxed were far from the only detractors to lodge complaints against Linus. Current and former Linus Media Group workers have now spoken up about a “grindset” culture that prioritized regular uploads over the mental health of content producers. One former employee—Madison Reeve—described a workplace filled with threats, intimidation, inappropriate sexual comments, and corporate inaction:

In addition to mental health and management concerns from current and former employees, Linus Tech Tips’ competitors responded with detailed critiques of the channel’s product testing methods. A 44-minute video posted by Gamers Nexus provides several examples of instances when the desire to churn out videos superseded the quality of those videos.

Linus Tech Tips’ response: CFO Yvonne Ho says the channel will go on a week-long hiatus in order to implement “long-term workflow changes.” Channel founder Linus Sebastian confirmed that direction, noting that the brand has “some work to do on internal processes and communication.”

The company will also be looking into allegations regarding workplace toxicity. According to Linus Media Group CEO Terren Tong, an outside investigator will be brought in to investigate Reeve’s claims.

HEADLINES IN BRIEF 📰

• Nine-year-old creator economy company Fanjoy—which reportedly owes money to between 100 and 199 creditors—has filed for bankruptcy. (Tubefilter)
  ​

• YouTube has announced several new NFL Sunday Ticket features, including live chats and polls. (Engadget)
  ​

• NYC is the latest city to ban TikTok on government-owned devices and networks. (Gizmodo)
  ​

• According to a Snapchat spokesperson, a brief glitch caused the app’s My AI chatbot to begin posting short Stories despite not actually having a Stories feature. (Engadget)

DATA • STREAMERS ON THE RISE 📈

This streamer needed only one piece of advice to get started: “Social media is your best friend.”

When SideLogic was just six years old, his parents gave him a present that changed his life: a PC. The creator started gaming almost immediately—and never stopped. By the time he graduated from high school, SideLogic had been playing video games and watching Twitch stars like PewDiePie for nearly a decade. He knew streaming was something he wanted to do professionally, too—but he wasn’t sure where to start.

At the time, SideLogic says, he “had that mentality of, it’s too late.” Still, he knew he had to give streaming a try. So, he reached out to his favorite creators for tips.

Their advice: “Social media is your best friend in this industry.” 

SideLong took those words of wisdom to heart. After streaming for a few months on Twitch without much success, the creator threw himself into social media. He took two weeks off of work to research the industry and then committed to posting on TikTok every single day. It was the right approach. By the time SideLong decided to quit his job, he had developed a loyal following and a strict posting schedule—one that brought his content to every platform from YouTube Shorts to Facebook Reels.

Nowadays, SideLong claims both a devoted audience on Twitch and millions of followers across TikTok, Shorts, and Reels. As for his advice to up-and-coming creators?

SideLong stands by the same words that helped him take the initial leap into streaming:

KEEPING UP WITH THE COOL KIDS

Netflix is Generation Alpha’s favorite brand

Netflix might be “enemy number one” among WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikers, but the streaming service is doing just fine in the eyes of Gen A viewers. According to an annual survey conducted by consulting firm Beano Brain, 72% of U.K.-based respondents between the ages of seven and 14 dubbed Netflix “cool”—a pronouncement that landed it the #1 spot on Beano’s list of 100 Coolest Brands for Kids & Teens. In total, the firm’s report surveyed 60,000 kids.

Netflix usurped last year’s top brand—YouTube—to claim the premiere spot on Beano Brain’s Top 100 list, knocking the video platform down to #2. McDonald’s (#3), Nike (#4), Oreo(#5), and several other major companies suffered similar fates:

Generation A’s adoration for Netflix is a sign of a hefty generational gap—and one that seems to be working in the streaming service’s favor. While Netflix‘s role in this year’s strikes has given it a villainous reputation among actors and writers, its knack for producing hit shows like Wednesday and Stranger Things has clearly secured the admiration of young viewers.

WATCH THIS 📺

Coraline’s cult following came through for a two-day box office bonanza

Laika’s 14-year-old cult classic, Coraline, returned to theaters for two short days this month—and immediately killed at the box office. The result: the stop-motion masterpiece grossed $4.91 million between August 14 and 15, coming in just behind Barbie and Oppenheimer’s daily hauls.

Given the power of Coraline’s online following, TikTok users probably aren’t too surprised by that success. Here’s hoping the film’s devotees come through for its next big re-release on August 28 and 29.

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here.​

Today's newsletter is from: Emily Burton, Sam Gutelle, and Josh Cohen. Drew Baldwin helped edit, too. It's a team effort.n