TOGETHER WITH

It’s Sunday, and here’s a handpicked selection of stories to give you a snapshot of trends, updates, business moves, and more from around the creator industry.

But first, the Tinder Swindler is launching a dating app. After committing so much fraud on dating apps that he got his own Netflix documentary, the so-called Tinder Swindler is getting into the biz himself. Fool me once, shame on you…

POP CULTURE MINUTE

The quiz show: For the second time, Ken Jennings will host a special edition of Jeopardy! contested by YouTube creators. Michelle Khare, Mythical Josh, and Angela Giarratana of Smosh will compete for charities across a gauntlet of internet-themed trivia. If Khare wants a challenge worthy of her YouTube channel, she should try to outdo Jennings’ 74-game Jeopardy! winning streak.

The documentary: IShowSpeed and the Obamas are bringing a documentary to theaters for a one-day event. After touring West Africa, Speed is now shining light on Ghanaian filmmaker Chris Hesse and his effort to save videos related to African independence movements. The resulting documentary, The Eyes of Ghana, will screen across major theater chains as part of an effort assisted by Speed—as well as Barack and Michelle Obama’s media company.

The childhood icons: Children’s touchstones from different generations collided last week with the meeting of Dr. Seuss and Baby Shark. Pinkfong, the Korean company behind the most-watched video in YouTube history, delivered some Halloween-themed mash-ups alongside iconic Seussian characters. The animated personalities joining Baby Shark in the YouTube collabs include family faves like the Cat in the Hat, the Lorax, Thing 1, and Thing 2.

Every year, thousands of top creators make their way to VidSummit for a biz dev event like no other—and 2026 was no exception.

This year’s event encompassed 100+ expert-led sessions, plus programming from top platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Meta, Twitch, Tubi, and Netflix. 

Here are three speaker quotes we won’t forget from 2026:

1. Dr. Plants: “You don’t need a better niche. You need a better story.”

2. Jenny Hoyos: “It only takes one video or one person to change your life, and they might be in this room.” 

3. Derral Eves, VidSummit Founder: “If you want to differentiate from AI, you gotta be more human. Live content is so important because it brings human connection.” 

That advice represents just a tiny fraction of the insights revealed at VidSummit 2026—all of which are available through Digital Replay. 

With Digital Replay, you can access every session from this year’s event, unlocking key strategies from Twitch CEO Dan Clancy, Hammer Media CEO Caleb Hammer, HopeScope, and other digital media pioneers.

CREATOR COMMOTION

The signings: Canadian comedy duo Slushy Noobz have signed with UTA. Both Martin Andrijasevic and Hamzah Al-Emad took off on TikTok before they teamed up to create a channel that reaches a seven-digit following. With their UTA deal, they’ll look to leverage their growing fanbase across a variety of ventures.

The signings (part two): Maurice Kamara of The People Gallery is also getting into business with UTA. By documenting the eclectic fashions that show up on the streets of New York City, Kamara has turned himself into a digital-age answer to Bill Cunningham. Now, by teaming up with UTA, he’ll look to build on a following that has already reached seven digits on the People Gallery Instagram account.

The candy competition: Jasontheween is teaming up with sweets brand Sour Jacks to host the Sour Jacks Showdown, an episodic series that airs this fall. The competition aims to emulate the layered flavor of the titular candy by pitting four rising streamers against one another across a variety of gameplay challenges. The winner will walk away with a $25,000 prize and a “Jack of All Games” title.

The update: Grace Helbig has delivered a positive update following successful brain surgery. As she recovered, she gave her fans the thumbs up and thanked them for their support. The creator once known as Daily Grace seems to be in good spirits, though she did note that she will be postponing the remaining dates of her This Might Get Weird tour alongside longtime collaborator Mamrie Hart.

THE BIZ

The hires: Electrify is bringing in vets from YouTube and VICE to continue creator funding push. The U.K.-based company has become a major player in the creator economy by backing YouTube hitmakers like Veritasium. Now, its new hires will look to continue the winning streak. Al Brown, VICE’s former programming head, will steer Electrify’s editorial brand. Patrick Walker, formerly the head of YouTube’s operations in EMEA, will be put in charge of strategy.

The acquisition: Billion Dollar Boy will expand its capabilities across social media by picking up Creator Authority, the marketing firm co-founded by Brendan Gahan and Cassie Jackson. Creator Authority gained notability as a LinkedIn Marketing Partner, a status that has helped it execute B2B influencer campaigns alongside brands like Amazon, Adobe, and IBM.

The reality show: Endemol Shine is heading to Brazil to adapt more game show formats. The Dutch media company produces some of the world’s biggest competition series and has a long history of activity on YouTube, so it’s no surprise to see Endemol jumping on the trend of game shows hosted by creators. In Brazil, the creator group Podpah will adapt Endemol’s Temptation Island, bringing a 25-year-old reality format to a new generation of viewers.

WATCH THIS 👀

The music man: Lilly Singh is continuing her YouTube revival with a return to sketch comedy. A year after she ended a long-term hiatus from her channel, YouTube’s “Superwoman” is returning to her roots.

Her first new sketch in five years satirizes the chaotic life of a professional creator—with a little help from fellow online video pros Alan Chikin Chow and Jeenie Weenie. Check it out here.

Want to introduce your brand to Tubefilter’s audience? Sponsor the newsletter.

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here​.

Today's newsletter is from: Emily Burton, Sam Gutelle, and Josh Cohen.