Prime Video has officially renewed Beast Games, the high-stakes reality competition series created and hosted by YouTube sensation MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), for not one but two additional seasons. The announcement was made during Amazon’s annual upfront presentation in New York City.
The first season, which premiered on December 19, 2024, quickly became Prime Video’s most-watched unscripted show ever, amassing 50 million viewers within 25 days. The series featured 1,000 contestants competing for a prize that ultimately grew to $10 million, making it the largest cash prize in reality competition history.
“MrBeast achieved a significant milestone for our global Prime Video customers, bringing to life the largest reality competition series ever,” said Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios, in a statement. “Following its record-breaking first season, we are thrilled to announce that two more seasons of Beast Games are on the way, and we eagerly anticipate all of the new, jaw-dropping challenges MrBeast has planned for the players.”
Personal Investment and Financial Losses
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Despite the show’s massive success, MrBeast revealed that producing the first season of Beast Games was a significant financial undertaking. In a candid interview on The Diary of a CEO podcast, he disclosed that his company spent $100 million on the first season, with $50 million coming directly from his own pocket.
“We lost a ton of money making that show,” Jimmy said. “We spent way too much money on it. I lost tens of millions on that show.”
He further explained that, despite the show’s popularity, it was not a profitable venture on a personal level. “It was not a good financial decision to make Beast Games, I lost money. I would have more money if I didn’t film it.”
That being said, it does align somewhat with MrBeast’s financial philosophy of reinvesting most of the revenue back into businesses and content creation. “Money is fuel to grow a business,” he said, noting that he maintains less than a million dollars in his personal bank account.
He also emphasised that Beast Games wasn’t just about viewership numbers or financial return — it was about proving something larger on behalf of creators. “For me, it was about making the first season as good as possible. I can’t let the YouTube community down,” he said, acknowledging the perception challenges creators face when stepping into high-end streaming content. “Creators don’t have a good rep when it comes to streaming,” he added, framing the series as both a passion project and a mission to raise the bar for creator-led productions in the broader entertainment industry.
Looking Ahead
Jeff Housenbold, CEO of MrBeast Industries, spoke confidently about what the renewal signals for the show’s trajectory and broader impact. “Our goal was to deliver the biggest, boldest competition series ever created, and the response has exceeded every expectation,” he said.
Housenbold credited the show’s global resonance to the ambition and originality behind its creation. “Beast Games resonated with fans around the world, and that’s a testament to the creativity of Jimmy and the entire Beast team,” he continued.
Acknowledging the scale of the endeavour and the importance of creative freedom, he added, “We’re grateful to Amazon for their continued partnership, and we’re excited to raise the bar even higher in the next two seasons.”
Here’s a look back at the complete first episode of Beast Games:
