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, Charlie (the one who chomped down on his brother’s finger) is celebrating YouTube’s 20th birthday. The star of the viral “Charlie bit me” video told The BBC that he’s never known a world without YouTube fame.

STREAMING BIG

In streaming news, creators are going back to school, hiring security, and crossing the pond

The big idea: The king of streaming wants to take his fans to school. Kai Cenat has expressed his desire to set up a “streamer university” by renting out a college, putting creators up in the dorms, and bringing in big shots like MrBeast and Mark Rober to teach classes. Just think of how legendary the parties would be.

The “Female Creator Safety Tax”: While Cenat dreams about university, another creator is schooling viewers on the dark side of being a woman in streaming. In a recent interview, Pokimane told Colin and Samir that she spends five figures per month on her security detail. Taylor Lorenz of User Mag has dubbed that expense the “Female Creator Safety Tax,” and it’s much higher than the average male creator might expect.

The European edition: Across the pond, TwitchCon is coming back to Rotterdam. The European edition of Twitch’s annual convention is due to return to the Dutch port city for a two-day gathering that will begin on May 31, 2025. After hosting events in Berlin, Amsterdam, and Paris, Twitch seems to have found a regular home for TwitchCon Europe in Rotterdam.

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TALKING POLITICS

With TikTok still in limbo, the Trump admin has creators on the edge of their seats

TikTok talk: Donald Trump may extend the length of TikTok’s U.S. reprieve. The president initially gave the Bytedance-owned app 75 days to negotiate a deal that would keep it operation in the United States—but now, it looks like TikTok might get an extension on that deadline. Turns out brokering an agreement that appeases the Chinese government is easier said than done.

Creator news: Creators could be among the first to know if Trump and China do eventually see eye-to-eye on TikTok. More than 11,000 “new media” reporters have requested access to the White House following the current administration’s call for creators and podcasters to apply for press credentials. At this rate, we might need a new YouTube Space at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

RECENTLY TRENDING

This week on the internet: Ankle watches are in and vending machine PR packages are out

The gadgets: Everybody wants a Poppi vending machine in their house and an Apple Watch on their ankle.

The aforementioned beverage brand’s Super Bowl campaign has been criticized for including lavish PR packages that many consider tone-deaf. Poppi apparently gifted social media stars personal vending machines. That doesn’t sit well with the normies who also want free soda storage in their living rooms.

Meanwhile, Apple Watches are apparently the hottest new thing in ankle fashion. Wearing the device right above your foot is becoming a notable trend, with some wearers arguing that the fit provides more accurate readings.

The content niche: People aren’t just keeping an eye on soda machines and high-tech ankles these days—according to YouTube, they’re also watching a ton of dog grooming videos. That genre earned more than 400 million total views in 2024 (per a post on YouTube’s Culture and Trends Blog). It seems the grooming sessions will continue until there are no more dogs with “crazy hair coming out.”

WATCH THIS 🍹

Is this 11-year-old the Keith Lee of fizzy drinks?

The drinkfluencer: If you’ve enjoyed (or critiqued) a Shirley Temple lately, you might be under the influence of Leo Kelly. A recent New York Times profile of the 11-year-old drink reviewer noted his Keith Lee-esque power to reshape menus. Given that nearly 250,000 Instagram followers regularly tune in to hear Kelly’s opinion on fizzy bevs, we’re not surprised that food establishments are paying attention.

And hey—if more restaurants decide to offer Shirley Temples, we definitely won’t be complaining (especially not after watching Kelly’s latest beverage review).

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