YouTube

Michelle Khare has mastered taekwondo, muscled through police academy and conquered Houdini’s deadliest trick. But now comes a different kind of challenge for the popular daredevil: proving to the Hollywood establishment that Emmy-worthy content arises from YouTube.

The host, known for her online reality series “Challenge Accepted,” is part of a group of YouTube creators with massive followings, producing high-caliber content, who are vying for Primetime Emmy Awards this year.

Although she won’t need to enlist the help of an Olympian or train for months this time around, she’s taking the challenge head-on. But while she’s been on the awards campaign, Khare said her top priority is letting her videos speak for themselves.

To that end, she’s taken on some high-profile challenges lately, including surprising Tom Cruise at the premiere of “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.” She got in by donning a mask a la the spy franchise, whipping it off for the big reveal. And she teased the process of training to take on Cruise’s infamous stunt of hanging off a plane as it’s taking off.

The video has garnered more than 800,000 views.

“My primary concern constantly is, ‘Is the show we’re making worth a nomination?’ and it needs to be, always,” she said.

Having a creator win an Emmy would be yet another milestone in YouTube’s quest for global dominance.

People now spend more time watching YouTube on TV screens than viewing subscription-based streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video, according to data from Nielsen. On average, there are more than 20 million videos uploaded daily to YouTube, according to the company.

Google-owned YouTube’s revenue last year was estimated to be $54.2 billion, which would make it the second-largest media company behind Walt Disney Co., according to a recent report from research firm MoffettNathanson.

Creators self-submitted for the awards, and YouTube has been supporting their campaigns to bring awareness to their content and sway Emmy voters. The creators and YouTube are jointly contributing to the campaigns. No matter what happens when nominations are announced Tuesday, this year’s push is a long time coming.

Traditional studios and networks have substantial budgets dedicated to awards campaigns because the trophies and the glamour of awards season are not just superficial. A major nomination or award serves as a signal of high quality and legitimacy. That would be all the more meaningful for online creators, who have traditionally been seen as on the outskirts of Hollywood.

For the individual creators and their companies, the investment in the Emmys race could lead to new or more fruitful relationships with advertisers and sponsors. The prestige recognition could also open the door for different opportunities for creators, like Lilly Singh’s late-night stint or MrBeast’s competition series on Prime Video.

Khare said when she met with YouTube Chief Executive Neal Mohan shortly after he was appointed in 2023, he asked her what the company could do for her. Helping a creator earn an Emmy was her request, she said.

“If it’s not me on July 15, if it’s anybody else, if it’s this year, next year, 10 years from now, I can’t wait,” she said.

Khare, who is hoping for a nomination in the hosted nonfiction series category, is in good company with two other YouTube shows in the running for awards this year.

“Good Mythical Morning,” a daily show hosted by YouTube personalities Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, and Sean Evans’ talk show “Hot Ones,” where celebrity guests eat progressively spicier chicken wings, are also eligible for Emmys. Last year, “My Next Guest With David Letterman and John Mulaney,” an “Only Murders in the Building” aftershow and “The Daily Show” won in the respective categories these YouTubers are hoping for a spot in.

“There’s a reason traditional Hollywood cares about awards,” Khare said. “It attracts the crew who want to work on [the show]. It attracts the audience to bring viewership, and it also attracts advertisers to financially support and make the show continually sustainable, in addition to all of the other wonderful publicity things that it does to elevate us into this world against legacy television.”

Khare said she always wanted to work in television and gained experience at legacy studios before joining BuzzFeed, which she called “paid graduate school for content creation.”

(Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)

In a 2024 guest column for the Hollywood Reporter, Mohan wrote that YouTube creators are not just vlogging from their bedrooms. They have writers’ rooms, production teams and business strategies. Mohan wrote that the Television Academy recognizing creators wouldn’t “detract from its storied history” but rather ensure the group is forward-looking.

“In order to maintain its relevance and emerge a leader in the digital age of entertainment, the Emmys should celebrate all kinds of content, especially the creators whose storytelling is pushing culture forward,” he wrote.

A 2025 report from the Television Academy released in February shows the members skew older. About 50% of the body reported their age, and of that group, roughly 68% are age 41 or older.

Much of the challenge in these creators’ quests to get nominated for or win an Emmy Award is making sure voters are familiar with their YouTube content. Although they each attract millions of viewers, Hollywood‘s more old-school folks might not have come across their videos before the awards push began.

Khare, who said she had always wanted to work in television, started off interning at legacy studios before she took on a role as a video producer for BuzzFeed in its heyday. She said her experience making YouTube videos for the media company was like going to “paid graduate school for content creation.” At the same time, she was “moonlighting” as a professional cyclist, she said.

Creating “Challenge Accepted,” where she often undertakes incredible physical tasks, was a marriage of her love for video content and athletics. And the extreme stunts she’s able to pull off make her particularly adept at getting attention online. Training like an Olympic boxer, for example. Or learning how to take hits like a superhero stunt performer.

Beyond what creators are doing and contributing to the campaigns themselves, YouTube is supporting the push for Emmys, most visibly by hosting its first formal For Your Consideration, or FYC, event in coordination with the Television Academy.

More than a decade ago, Bernie Su won an Emmy for a YouTube series he worked on. As far as he’s aware, his 2013 win marked the first time “the word YouTube has ever appeared on the trophy,” Su said. He went on to win two more Emmys, one for another YouTube series and one for a Twitch series.

The category for his YouTube wins, recognizing creative achievement in interactive media for an original interactive program, is judged by panels of industry professionals, rather than by popular vote.

But Su said his road to win the Emmys looked very different than the creators in the race today. YouTube wasn’t even aware he and his team were submitting their series for Emmy consideration in 2013, he said.

Still, Su said he’s rooting for Khare and the other creators in the running this year, especially since he’s seen firsthand how an Emmy Award helps to legitimize digital-native work.

“My parents are very much all about the three Emmy wins when they talk about their son,” he said. “Not about anything else. It starts there. That’s the nexus of the work that I do.”

YouTube declined to share how much money the company has spent to support the campaigns this year. Angela Courtin, a YouTube executive who’s helming the awards push, said the company is relying on “existing commitments” like billboard space and activations at film festivals to highlight the Emmy contenders.

“When they decided that they wanted to be seen among their peers equally, then it became our responsibility and our opportunity, as well as our privilege, to collaborate with them to do so,” Courtin said. “At the end of the day, the award sits on their mantle, not ours. It will never be in my office.”

Evans, left, Khare, McLaughlin and Neal each spoke to Television Academy members about their shows at YouTube’s For Your Consideration event in May.

(Araya Doheny / Getty Images for YouTube)

Offering this kind of support to creators serves YouTube too.

Beyond the benefits of recognition as a serious player in the traditional television world, and the potential boost in advertising dollars flowing to the company, YouTube putting both monetary and figurative weight behind creators is a worthwhile investment, said Jeremy Goldman, senior director of briefings at eMarketer. After all, YouTube doesn’t want to lose more of its talent roster to Instagram Reels and TikTok.

“YouTube creators can take their ideas elsewhere,” Goldman said. “The more you support them, the more likely they are to go to YouTube for future endeavors, which has been very valuable for YouTube, because it’s basically people creating [intellectual property].”

Brian Flanagan, the president of Mythical, the studio founded by YouTubers Rhett and Link, said seeking awards recognition is not about ego but about acknowledging the many people behind “Good Mythical Morning” and the other shows Mythical makes that draw audiences in the millions.

“GMM” is eligible in the category honoring short-form comedy, drama or variety series. Recent winners include “Carpool Karaoke: The Series” and “I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson.”

Mythical is also acutely aware of the business implications of a major award nomination or win.

“If you want to seek premium advertising, top-flight guests and other trappings of the best of the best of Hollywood television, it could really be a distinguishing mark, and we’d be excited to have that stamp on us,” Flanagan said.

Evans, who is vying for recognition in the talk series category with the likes of Jon Stewart, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert, told The Times in June that he feels “Hot Ones” should be in the mix with these traditional television mainstays.

“I didn’t know that we’d be a part of the conversation, never dreamed of it,” he said. “But now that we are, I’ll say with my full chest that we belong.”

Khare would also be entering a storied category with legendary past winners like Anthony Bourdain and David Letterman. That prospect, perhaps unsurprisingly given her record of daunting feats, doesn’t intimidate her.

The list of past winners in this category and other television stars who have inspired Khare’s work are mostly men. “I would love to inspire young women to go out and be great too,” she said.

Despite the tough odds of securing not only a nomination but shooting for a win in a competitive field, Khare remains optimistic about her chances.

“Conan O’Brien, I’m coming for you,” she quipped.

Dale Smith is planning to move his family to Thailand with ‘nothing but a bag of clothes’ to seek a better quality of life – and he’s urged others not to live ‘in regret’

A father-of-two is ready to uproot his family from the UK and move to Thailand with “nothing but a bag of clothes”, as he seeks an enhanced life quality and urges others not to live “in regret”. Dale Smith, 37, along with his wife, Kim, 36, and their children Noah, 10, and Molly, eight, has grown tired of feeling “trapped” and dissatisfied with life in Britain, where his earnings are consumed by escalating expenses and his kids are unhappy with their schooling.

The frustrated HGV driver shared that he and his brood are itching to shake off the monotony of counting down to weekends – and they’ve set their sights on Thailand’s “beautiful scenery” and “incredible food” for a fresh start. The family’s plan involves selling their three-bedroom house, a 2015 Ford Focus, and almost all their gadgets and belongings to fund their relocation, dreaming of touching down in Bangkok armed with merely “a bag of clothes” and a nest egg.

Opting for homeschooling over traditional education, Dale intends to integrate the children with fellow expatriate communities abroad, hoping that Noah and Molly will embrace “learn new languages and learn about new cultures”. Dale’s been documenting his venture on TikTok, with his most viewed video, explaining his motives for leaving, like the soaring cost of living and dismal weather, amassing over one million views.

Feeling “terrified” yet “excited” the family has eyed November to kickstart the plan, with ambitions to list their Nottinghamshire house on the market come August.

“Don’t live your life in regret,” Dale urged. “If you want to do something like this, don’t be afraid, don’t give up. It scares me to death to think we’re just chasing this dream of ‘one day this will happen’ or ‘when we’re retired it will be nice’. We need to embrace this and enjoy our lives, we’ve got nothing to lose.”

Seeking an escape, Dale said that his family feel “trapped” and “fed up” with life in Britain. He said: “We just want to break out of this routine, I feel like life is just flying by. You wake up on a Monday, you’re fed up and you can’t wait for the weekend – you’re wishing the days away.”

Dale has also grown disenchanted due to increasing crime rates and living costs, declaring the UK “not a nice place to live any more”. He added: “The prices of everything are going up and the streets are a state.”

He discussed a career shift to HGV driving which initially “doubled” his income a few years ago, but it didn’t lead to financial freedom. He said: “That extra money is just going on bills, the bills have now doubled – you’re banging your head against a brick wall.”

Dale and his family are set to shake things up by moving to Thailand, with his two children reportedly keen on the idea “straight away”. “I think this is the right time for them, they don’t enjoy school here and they find it a bit pointless,” he said.

Dale and Kim plan to homeschool their kids in Thailand, focusing on English, basic maths, and subjects they’re passionate about, like history, video editing, and photography.

“Kids are sponges, so hopefully they will start learning the Thai language,” he said. “Noah and Molly will still have the opportunity to do their GCSEs if they want to, we’re not holding them back on anything in relation to their education.”

To cover the travel expenses, Dale revealed that the family intends to land in Thailand with minimal possessions. They’re looking to sell their house, car, electronics, and most belongings – keeping only sentimental items stored with relatives in the UK.

“We plan to go to Thailand with nothing but a bag of clothes, because what else would we need?” he said. Although the family’s travel plans aren’t set in stone, they aim to depart the UK by November, contingent on selling their house, which they hope to list in August.

Dale revealed they’ve been knee-deep in “loads” of research for their visa applications, flights, and desired destinations, anticipating a one-week stint in Bangkok before settling down the coast in Hua Hin for several months.

“We need to base ourselves somewhere cheap for a month or two to try and figure out our spending costs – from there, we’ll work out where we’ll go next,” he said. The thrill of “adventure” is what Dale is looking forward to most during their explorations.

“I don’t like having things planned, every day we’ll be waking up wondering what we are going to do today,” he admitted. Dale also spoke about his hope to rent a furnished property abroad, easing one potential worry: “one thing (they) don’t have to worry about”.

With close family back in the UK, Dale hinted at a possible return, “it depends” leaving their plans open-ended. “That’s the joy of doing what we are doing, we can come back if we need to and spend quality time with our relatives,” he said.

Although Dale chose not to disclose the amount saved for the journey, he remains confident they have sufficient funds for a couple of years. He’s also chronicling their adventurous leap on TikTok and YouTube via @4go.traveling, which might bolster their budget with “a little bit of extra income”.

His TikTok has gone viral, racking up a staggering 1.5 million views, featuring Dale in his car, sharing his reasons to move abroad – and it’s struck a chord with viewers who’ve also left the UK.

“I think it’ll be fun,” he said. “It’s scary and I’m terrified, but I think it’ll be amazing – especially for the children. We’ll have a better quality of life, we’ll be more present with the kids, the weather will be nicer and the scenery will be prettier – it’s a no-brainer.”

Toni Gray’s phone is blowing up these days.

The head of production at Dhar Mann Studios, which makes shows for YouTube and other online platforms, said entertainment industry friends in Los Angeles had once held out before seeking work in the digital realm.

But now, with jobs few and far between at the legacy studios, they are reaching out “all the time” looking for opportunities at the Burbank-based studio, known for posting family-friendly dramas addressing topics like bullying.

Seeing some of her peers now flock to be a part of production companies built for distribution on YouTube and other online platforms is exciting for Gray, who worked in traditional television for more than a decade and joined Dhar Mann Studios in February.

“It’s giving people hope that they can get back to work again,” she said. “And it’s not just monetary hope for their house and their kids. It actually is giving their own being life again to bring their creative element.”

Pave Studios founder Max Cutler.

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

In Hollywood’s TV and film industries, droves of workers are competing for jobs at a time when many companies are consolidating and laying off hundreds of people at a time. But one segment of the entertainment industry has emerged as a bright spot — the economy made up of people creating video for YouTube and social media.

That part of the industry, once dominated by amateurs making funny viral videos with smartphones has blossomed into a formidable entertainment force, where video creators are setting up real businesses with large studios in Southern California funded through advertising by major brands.

Dhar Mann Studios plans to add 15 positions to its staff of about 75 full-time employees. In Sherman Oaks, Pave Studios, which produces wellness- and true-crime-related shows, is adding 16 full-time workers to its staff of 67 contractors and employees.

Nationwide, there were more than 490,000 jobs supported by YouTube’s creative ecosystem last year, according to the Google-owned video platform, citing data from Oxford Economics. That’s roughly 60,000 more jobs than in 2023, YouTube said.

“It’s beginning to mature into creators really building businesses,” said Thomas Kim, YouTube’s director of product management for creator monetization. “We see more and more of that, and that also means that the number of employees and help that they need to sustain their business has grown over time.”

Sean Atkins, chief executive of Dhar Mann Studios, called it a big growth opportunity in the market. YouTube is a major player in streaming, representing 12.5% of U.S. TV viewing in May, according to Nielsen, more than streaming services including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

“Everything is so new and nascent,” said Atkins, a former president at MTV. “I imagine, particularly when you walk around our studio … that this is what it looked like in the ‘20s when MGM and Disney and Warner [Bros.] were [founded]. Just this enthusiastic chaos where everyone’s trying to figure out what this environment is.”

The growth in Southern California influencer businesses is a boon to the local production economy that is otherwise struggling. L.A. County saw a 27% decline to 108,564 employees from 2022 to 2024 in the motion picture and sound recording industries, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Many Hollywood workers have struggled to find roles, as studios cut down on their programming after the 2023 actor and writer strikes and after overspending during the streaming wars. For years, productions have fled the area to take advantage of lucrative financial incentives out of state and abroad. Production in L.A. County also took a hit following devastating wildfires in January.

Meanwhile, the amount of employment in the creator economy is trending up, according to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. Total workers in the L.A. County creator economy, composed of businesses such as media streaming distribution services and social networks, as well as independent artists, writers and performers, increased 5% to 70,012 from 2022 to 2024, LAEDC said. Companies in the creator economy space also increased 5% to 46,425 businesses during the same time period, according to LAEDC.

The bleak job market has caused more people who have worked in traditional studio and TV networks to apply for jobs at digital media companies that produce content for platforms such as YouTube or work with influencers who are growing their staffs.

The migration reflects changing realities in the business. Consumers’ habits have shifted, where more people are watching YouTube on TV screens these days instead of on smartphones in the U.S., eating into territory held by broadcast and cable television. Video creators have adapted, building production teams and expanding into podcasts, merchandise and sometimes scoring streaming deals.

For example, one of YouTube’s top creators, Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, has a reality competition show on Amazon Prime Video, sells products such as Feastables chocolates and has brand partnerships and sponsorships. His North Carolina holding company, Beast Industries, employs more than 500 people.

Kyle Hjelmeseth, chief executive of talent representation firm G&B Digital Management, said he is receiving more calls from people coming with traditional media backgrounds seeking collaborations with influencers.

“Five years ago, it would have been very different,” he said. “Anytime that somebody from Hollywood or the entertainment complex talked about creators, it was with such a different lens … a little bit like nose in the air.”

His company, which has 25 contractors, part-time and full time employees, added four people last month with plans to hire more.

“All the pressures of what’s happening in Hollywood and the growth of the creator economy [are] crashing into each other in this moment, and that’s why we’re having a conversation about jobs, because there’s such a shift in the energy, and we’re certainly feeling it,” he said.

Morgan Absher, left, and Kaelyn Moore, right, record “Clues” podcast at Pave Studios.

(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Pave Studios launched last year with fewer than 10 employees and now has grown to 67 contractors and employees. Part of that growth is fueled by the increasing audience for its videos and podcasts available on platforms including YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The company is hiring for roles including executive producers, with a pay range of $95,000 to $145,000, depending on the show, said founder Max Cutler.

“As we grow and as the business becomes more complicated, you need more specialists and more people,” Cutler said. “Video is definitely a leading growth area for us.”

Jen Passovoy joined Pave Studios in January as a producer, after working for 10 years at Paramount on competition series such as “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “Ink Master.”

“Coming from a traditional TV background, I was drawn to how nimble and audience-focused the company is,” Passovoy said in an email. “There’s less red tape and more room to actually create. You get the energy of a startup with the same high-quality content you’d expect from a major studio.”

Passovoy, 34, said the job market for traditional studio and TV network workers is really tough right now.

“I know more people out of work right now than working, which says a lot,” she said. “The traditional TV model just doesn’t exist in the same way anymore. Budgets are shrinking and the jobs that used to be steady aren’t there. There have been so many layoffs across the industry, and it’s forced a lot of incredibly talented people to rethink how and where they create.”

Skills that people develop in traditional studio and TV roles can translate to digital-first roles, including video editors for influencers and digital media companies, industry observers said.

The creator economy also has more specialized roles, such as thumbnail designers — people who create the images used to tease videos on sites including YouTube. Those jobs can pay six figures annually, as they can be instrumental for getting audiences to click on those videos.

Roster, a hiring platform that lists job postings in the creator space, said the number of employers signing up to hire on the site has increased by nearly 80% from January to June 2025. Based on a sampling of 1,430 creator job posts in 2025, Roster said the most popular open position was video editor (representing 42.5%), followed by thumbnail designer (16.1%) and producer (10.6%).

There are downsides. Not all jobs are full-time. Many creators opt to hire freelancers.

“Their production needs need to expand and shrink like an accordion,” said Sherry Wong, CEO of Roster. “That’s why we see a lot of creators, even if they’re really big established creators, they are hiring freelancers, contractors, and being able to keep it as lean as possible.”

With so many people looking for work, there‘s intense competition for those jobs, and the ways to apply can be creative and involved.

Miami-based creator Jenny Hoyos found freelancers through a hiring challenge she hosted on Roster. Applicants were given 10 minutes of raw video footage and instructed to edit it down to a video short, roughly 30 to 60 seconds long.

Hoyos, 20, requested that applicants create a final product that was engaging, cohesive and matched her specific style. She received more than 100 submissions.

While there were strong contenders from California, the winners ended up being from Brazil and India. They became her two go-to freelancers, who she said are essentially working an amount equivalent to full-time editors.

This method of seeking talent was Hoyos’ way of making sure the people she brought on to her team were willing to go the extra mile, she said. Those hoping to break into the digital media world don’t necessarily have to have grown up with YouTube and social media like she did, but they do have to “commit to being addicted to watching” content, she said.

Not everyone who works for YouTube creators gets paid.

Screenwriter Natalie Badillo isn’t earning a salary while she tries to build up an audience on YouTube. Badillo, who sold a self-titled project to HBO Max a few years ago, said she was looking for a way to “not wait 8 billion years for a TV show to get picked up,” and creating a YouTube channel, “Great Job Nat,” was a way to get her material out into the world.

“Why wait for somebody to throw you a party when you can just throw your own party?” she said.

Badillo draws on her connections with folks from the traditional film and TV world to produce the YouTube videos. While the channel is getting up and running, collaborators work for low pay or simply for the fun of it and to gain experience. Still, her ambitions are big. “I want to be the Jon Stewart of the West,” she said.

The pay disparities can be an issue for people from traditional media industries looking for jobs. While some programs featuring influencers and vertical excerpts of TV shows and movies are covered by union agreements, other projects don’t have those protections.

“With temporary hiring, it’s like everything else in Hollywood — you either need to have another job that balances things out or you need to get to a critical mass of enough work on enough different projects,” said Kevin Klowden, executive director at Milken Institute Finance. “The number of sustainable Hollywood jobs has shrunk.”

But as the two worlds collide, traditional media companies are already paying attention to the popularity of creator shows and are trying to find ways to partner with influencers. Amazon earlier this year announced more seasons of MrBeast’s reality competition series “Beast Games,” and digital media companies are adding people with traditional media backgrounds to their staffs.

“It’s still a lot more tiptoeing,” Hjelmeseth said. “Everybody’s kind of like looking at each other from across the room, like, ‘Should we dance?’”

Igbo-Ora in Nigeria has been dubbed the ‘Twin Capital of the World’, with an unusually high number of twins born there – and locals believe they’ve found the reason why

A tiny Nigerian town is known for its high rate of twins, leaving scientists scratching their heads for years. In Yoruba culture, prevalent in the area where the town of Igbo-Ora is situated, twins are seen as a gift from the supreme deity Olodumare and are thought to be protected by spirits – they are even thought to have supernatural abilities.

One local resident hinted at a “secret” that could explain the remarkable twin phenomenon.

Globetrotting YouTube star Drew Binsky made his way to the so-called ‘Twin Capital of the World’ to chat with locals about their town’s extraordinary claim to fame. Despite Nigeria being officially an English-speaking nation, Drew discovered that finding people speaking his native language was challenging.

He said: “Even though Nigeria is an English speaking country, it’s actually very difficult to find English speakers. Usually the ones that go to school that are educated can speak. But here in the villages, they usually speak native language, which is Yoruba.”

Drew eventually teamed up with a local woman named Grace, who became his guide and offered one intriguing theory for the abundance of twins.

She revealed: “There’s actually a secret behind that. There is a soup in our land here that people eat that will make them to give birth to twins and multiple [births].”

Grace attributes the town’s unique demographic pattern to a local dish made with okra leaves, although researchers have yet to establish any concrete evidence linking the local diet to the twin mystery.

The town of Igbo-Ora, renowned for its high proportion of multiple births, may have found a clue in the peel of locally-grown yams, with a University of Lagos Teaching Hospital study suggesting a chemical link to the phenomenon.

Local resident Grace expressed her pride in living in Igbo-Ora, noting the scientific interest in the town’s twin phenomenon.

She continued: “Everybody’s a twin here. There is no single house in this town that does not have a twins. Every house, no matter how small or how big the house is, they will surely have a set of twins.”

While the global average for twin births stands at about 12 per 1,000, Igbo-Ora boasts an astonishing rate of at least 50 per 1,000.

Drew sampled the okra-leaf soup known as Ilasa, jokingly hinting it might increase his chances of having twins.

The soup, a local delicacy, features okra leaf, “locust beans,” and marugbo herb.

Igbo-Ora celebrates its unique status with a twins festival, where twins, triplets, and even quadruplets don matching attire and take part in photo sessions.

Despite its fame for multiple births, Igbo-Ora faces severe economic challenges, with one inhabitant describing the town as “financially handicapped” and calling for assistance from international aid organisations.

Cara, who runs The Magic Geekdom channel, said she was “blown away” after her first ever visit to Leeds and she believes the Yorkshire city is extremely overlooked by outsiders

An American YouTuber has been left utterly enchanted by one UK city and labelled it a “hidden gem” after visiting for the first time. Cara, the face behind The Magic Geekdom channel, couldn’t contain her excitement when she arrived in Leeds.

She explained: “This was my very first time in Leeds and it completely blew me away! I didn’t know much about the city going in, but after a full day exploring its stunning arcades, fascinating museums, delicious food spots, and lively streets, I can honestly say Leeds is one of the most overlooked cities I’ve visited so far in the UK.

“From beautiful architecture to incredible markets and independent shops, this city has so much to offer.”

In her video, Cara expressed surprise at the aesthetic appeal of Leeds, telling viewers: “I don’t know why, I wasn’t expecting this much gorgeousness in the buildings around here but there is a lot of pretty things to look at here.”

Highlighting Leeds City Museum as a prime example of the city’s allure, she mentioned that before visiting, she sought recommendations, with the Royal Armouries Museum topping the list.

After exploring the free-to-enter museum, Cara concluded with admiration: “What a great museum, something that I was not expecting to love but then ended up being very fascinated by many different aspects of the museum.”

Instead of solely delving into arms and military history, she spiced up her day with a jaunt on a boat and savoured a pint at Whitelock’s Ale House in Leeds, the city’s oldest pub.

Eager to soak up local Yorkshire flavour, she opted for a crisp pint of Kirkstall Pale Ale. Her adventure continued through the city’s arcades, where she eagerly anticipated Queen’s Arcade but found it her “least favourite” due to its less impressive appearance compared to Thornton’s Arcade.

She found County Arcade to be “much more opulent” than the rest, describing it as “beautiful and very posh” yet her preference leaned towards the more understated.

During her exploration, she offered a unique take: “Here is an observation I’ve made here that I’ve never made anywhere else.

“I think in most places, buskers have mapped out times or areas and I think here in Leeds it is just a free for all because there are people everywhere doing all kinds of things with microphones and it is kind of hard to hear any of them at any given time.

“But I think that adds to the experience a little bit.”

The video, available for viewing here, prompted one viewer to comment: “As a Manchester lad that has lived in Leeds for 14 years I can say it is different, it has it’s own vibe. It’s full of amazing people. And a place I am proud to call home.”

Replying, Cara said: “It definitely has a vibe.”

Another person said: “Lived in Leeds all my life. You’ve shown off the city beautifully.”

A third added: “My son went to Leeds uni for three years, i love this city and he loves it so much he’s moving back to Leeds this September to work. There is so much there plus its close enough to the Yorkshire dales and Cumbria which is even better!”

Celebrities are all too familiar with the world of deepfakes, the colloquial term for artificial intelligence-generated videos that depict actors and other Hollywood talent falsely doing or saying things that they never agreed to.

To protect themselves, actors including Steve Harvey, Beverly Hills talent agency WME and studios have enlisted the help of Vermillio, a Chicago-based company that tracks famous people’s digital likenesses and intellectual property online. Depending on what its clients want, it can have the material taken down .

But as AI technology continues to improve and becomes more widely available to the general public, regular people are getting scammed too.

Now, Vermillio says it is offering a version of its service for free to everyone.

The move comes as more and more convincing deepfakes continue to proliferate online, making it difficult for social media sites to police such activity. In 2019, there were about 18,000 deepfakes globally and this year, there have been roughly 2 trillion generative creations, said Vermillio Chief Executive and co-founder Dan Neely.

That leaves average Joes at a growing risk of being impersonated online, with little recourse.

“We can’t wait for governments to solve this problem,” Neely said. “We can’t wait for legislators to solve this problem. We can’t wait for other people to solve this problem. We just said it’s the right thing to do, so we should just be doing it.”

With this move, Vermillo is adopting a classic “freemium” model — offering partial service for no charge and up-selling for additional features.

Here’s how it works.

Using its TraceID technology, the company flags problematic content. For paying clients, Vermillio can send take-down requests to sites such as YouTube or Instagram. Additionally, Vermillio says clients can monetize their data by licensing it.

People who sign up for the free version enter information about themselves such as their name, date of birth and social media handles on sites including Instagram or YouTube.

Then, Vermillio will use that information to build a “likeness model” to scour the Internet for potential red flags involving the user’s identity. Then Vermillio alerts the user to what exists online. For example, if someone has created a fake Instagram account of that user, Vermillio would flag that.

Users are notified of this type of content and can decide for themselves what they would like to allow, or take action to remove. If the user wants Vermillio to request take-downs of the inappropriate content, users would need to upgrade to a paid account, which starts at $10 a month and includes five monthly take down requests.

While many social media platforms give an option to users to flag problematic content, Vermillio said it is faster and more effective than having users go directly to YouTube or Instagram to rectify the situation. It has built a network of partners and can escalate take-downs in as quickly as an hour, the company said.

Vermillio executives said some real life examples of deep fakes include celebrity voices used to raise money for fake charities or terrorist organizations, and high school students creating fake pornography of their classmates.

“It’s affecting regular people in the sense that they’re getting scammed by deep fakes, but it’s also affecting teenagers, so people need to understand where they stand,” said Kathleen Grace, Vermillio’s chief strategy officer. “This is an easy way for them to do that.”

While fake social media profiles have existed for years, “generative AI just poured gasoline on it,” Grace said.

The company said hundreds of people use Vermillio’s services, but didn’t specify numbers. By the end of the year, the company expects to have thousands.

Neely said the company isn’t profitable and declined to share revenue figures. Time magazine reported that revenue from Vermillio’s TraceID has increased tenfold from April 2023 to April 2024. The company makes money through the paid versions of its service and licensing. Vermillio has raised $24 million in funding.

Hollywood companies and talent are navigating artificial intelligence in different ways.

Groups such as performers guild SAG-AFTRA are pushing for more state and federal protections against deepfakes. Some celebrities such as Academy Award-winning supporting actor Jamie Lee Curtis struggled to get a fake ad of her on Instagram taken down showing her falsely endorsing a dental product.

WME announced a partnership with Vermillio last year.

“The scale of the issue is extraordinary, so if you’re a rights holder, just trying to understand how much of these AI outputs are based on or utilized my data, my IP in some way, shape or form, is a massive need,” said Chris Jacquemin, WME’s head of digital strategy.

“They’ve obviously proven that TraceID can protect the most important, most high profile public figures in the world,” Jacquemin added. “Opening it up in a much broader application, I think is a huge step forward in really democratizing how anybody can start to police use of their likeness with respect to AI and AI platforms.”

Chris and Sam, known as ‘The Travel Duo’, stumbled across the idyllic sandy beach off Scotland’s west coast

Don’t let a tight budget put you off dreaming of the Maldives. A couple has accidentally stumbled upon what’s been coined the ‘Maldives of Scotland’ during a hiking holiday.

This hidden gem offers an enchanting beach with white sands and crystal-clear waters that seem almost too good to be true. Dubbed ‘The Travel Duo’, Chris and Sam took to YouTube to share their unexpected find in 2023.

“I was just on the beach, we were just about to leave,” Sam said, according to the Express. “I sent the drone up to get some drone shots of this beach and I saw another incredible stunning spot on the other side of this mountain.

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“…So, I’m taking Chris and Fletcher on a little bit of an adventure to see if we can get there because it looks insane.” Their trek through mud and hills soon paid off with the revelation of pristine white sands.

“Doesn’t it look like the Maldives?” she said, before later adding: “I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven. Honestly, it’s insane, and that water is way too good to not go in for a swim.”

Chris and Sam’s dreamy beach lies hidden on the Isle of Harris, nestled off the west coast of Scotland in the Outer Hebrides. While they’ve kept its precise location under wraps, Harris is laden with scenic spots for those in search of a comparable adventure.

Take Luskentyre Sands, which Time Out ranked among the nation’s finest beaches last year. The heavenly spot is celebrated not just for its sweeping stretch of pristine white sand but also for being the backdrop of BBC’s Castaway series.

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Despite its fame, you’ll have no trouble finding a spot for your towel either, thanks to its remote position keeping it fairly untouched by crowds. The combined population of Harris, Lewis and their smaller surrounding islands is just over 21,000.

Wildlife fans should also note Hushinish beach, another treasure situated at the end of a 12-mile stretch of road on Harris’ western coast. This gem is a favourite among dolphins and seals, according to Visit Scotland, while offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Meanwhile, according to Travel Republic, Maldivian holidays cost around £1,700 per person each week, so these spots are a great alternative for Brits looking for a budget trip. Commenters seem to agree too, voicing their disbelief at Chris and Sam’s video.

One wrote: “Got to keep some secrets, Lewis and Harris [are] on my list for this summer when I can get a trip off from work at sea, my beagles need to be free on these beaches, great vid.” Another added: “Wow. Such a great video and what a place!!”

What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below

Lexie Limitless, a US YouTuber who became the youngest person to visit every nation in the world at the age of 21, has named her four least-favourite European countries

A globe-trotting YouTuber who has visited every country in the world has shared her thoughts on the 44 nations in Europe, saying there are four she would not return to. American Lexie Limitless holds the impressive title of being the youngest person to visit every country in the world at just 21.

In her latest video, ‘I travelled to every country in Europe so you don’t have to’, Lexie reveals some of her favourite “hidden gems” from the continent – including Slovenia, Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Cesky Krumlov in Czech Republic.

However, she also discusses four nations that didn’t quite hit the mark for her.

Lexie said: “Alright, it’s time to talk about one of my least favourite subjects, and I got to say in advance that travel is so subjective. Places that I’ve been that I didn’t necessarily connect with might not be the same for everyone.

“Everyone’s preferences are different, but I think that the countries that didn’t really leave as much of an impression on me as some of the others in Europe would probably be Belarus, Slovakia, Moldova and Bulgaria.”

She continued: “If I had to name a few specifically, I think it was just that in those countries, in particular, it’s so important to know a good local who’s going to show you around and show you all the best spots.”

Lexie believes travel is “mostly about” the people you meet along the way. As she didn’t know anybody in these countries, she had a “really difficult” time obtaining “unique experiences”.

She added that it’s almost “unfair” to compare smaller nations like Moldova or Bulgaria, to a country like Italy, as they have some “advantages” geographically, noting the “diversity” in their “environment“.

The seasoned traveller also stated that she tries to “avoid” naming specific countries that she may not necessarily recommend and would “absolutely love” to go back if she had “more of a purpose” or reason to be there beyond sightseeing.

Belarus, a former Soviet republic, is a landlocked nation in Eastern Europe that shares its borders with Russia, Ukraine, and Poland, among others. Since 1994, it has been ruled by President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been dubbed “Europe’s last dictator.”

Situated within the heart of the continent, Slovakia borders the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Poland and Ukraine. It was formerly part of Czechoslovakia until the so-called “velvet divorce” in 1993.

Meanwhile, Moldova, another landlocked country and former Soviet republic, is nestled between Ukraine and Romania. The BBC reports that two-thirds of its population share Romanian roots, highlighting their shared heritage.

Bulgaria, situated in the eastern Balkans with a coastline along the Black Sea, is predominantly Slavonic-speaking. Since the fall of Communism, it has been steadily transitioning towards a market economy.

Nestled almost two hours away from Munich and three hours from Frankfurt, Bamberg in Germany, is one of Europe’s most picturesque, well-preserved, and affordable holiday hotspots.

Tucked away in Upper Franconia, Germany, lies the charming town of Bamberg, a hidden gem that’s a must-visit for fans of beer, Bratwurst, and affordable holiday destinations. Located nearly two hours from Munich and three hours from Frankfurt, this picturesque town boasts a UNESCO World Heritage status and is often hailed as one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

Nicknamed the “Franconian Rome”, Bamberg is built on seven hills and is steeped in history, with an array of architectural wonders dating back to the Middle Ages. This quaint Bavarian town, home to just under 76,000 residents, seamlessly blends modern life with historic cultural treasures of global significance.

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As you wander through the streets, you’ll discover buildings that have stood the test of time, while the town centre is filled with ornate palaces and medieval castles.

History buffs will be captivated by the stunning 13th-century Bamberg Cathedral, one of Germany’s most famous cathedrals, built between 1211 and 1237.

This late Romanesque and early Gothic landmark is notable for being one of the only papal graves in Germany, housing the marble sarcophagus of Pope Clement II.

Another unmissable attraction is St. Michael’s Monastery, a Baroque church boasting a breathtaking “celestial garden” with over 578 flowers and herbs, as well as a terrace offering a panoramic view of the town.

In addition to its rich history, Bamberg is also celebrated for its lively beer culture, boasting 13 breweries in the town and 60 more in the surrounding area, reports the Express.

Beer enthusiasts can sample the city’s famous hand-crafted brews, including the unique smoked beer, Rauchbier, available at local breweries Schlenkerla and Brauerei Spezial.

Beyond its breweries, Bamberg offers a range of local culinary delicacies, such as Schäuferla, a roasted pork shoulder marinated in a meat stock and dark beer broth, served with potato dumplings and cabbage.

Another standout dish is the blue sausages, Blaue Zipfel, which are boiled in a seasoned stock to create a rich, smoky flavour, typically served with sauerkraut, a pretzel, and a pint of smoked beer.

Travel vlogger Wolters World recently featured Bamberg in his YouTube video, “The Best Cheap European Destinations”, revealing that it’s his “favourite city” to visit in Germany.

He joked that prices in Bamberg have remained unchanged for the past decade, making it a budget-friendly option compared to other German cities.

Visitors can explore the city’s historic landmarks, such as Altenburg Castle, the Old Town Hall, and the 17th-century Neue Residenz palace, with its ornate ceilings, tapestries, and rose garden.

Though it may take a few hours to reach Bamberg by train or flight, the journey is certainly worth it for those who are fans of bratwurst, beer, and history.

Bamberg’s captivating charm and cost-effectiveness make it a popular choice for tourists.

A flight attendant has shared the reason why the cabin lights are dimmed during take-off and landing on a plane, and why it’s nothing to worry about and is just standard procedure

If you’ve ever been on a night flight and the cabin crew has dimmed the lights for no apparent reason, it may leave you feeling a little uneasy. Suddenly, the plane is plunged into darkness, and if you’re not in the know, you may not know that there’s a reading light above your head to ensure you can see better.

It can leave you sweaty-palmed and can set you on edge for the rest of take-off or landing. Most of the time, there will be a warning to let you know it’s happening, but even then, it can get a little nerve-wracking because you won’t realise the extent of how dark it gets. Then, when you’re plunged into darkness, you’re left desperately looking around, trying to figure out how everyone else is feeling about the situation.

But there’s no need to panic, and one flight attendant has shared the reasons why the cabin lights are dimmed during take-off and landing.

Many passengers will assume it’s a pointless exercise because the pilot isn’t in the same part of the plane – but it’s nothing to do with that.

Barbara Bacilieri, also known as Barbie Bac, shares videos about her flight experience with her 2.65million YouTube subscribers.

And the 29-year-old has confirmed the reason why take-off and landing are dark if you’re on a night flight.

A fan asked: “Why do planes dim the lights during take-off and landing?”

Barbara confirmed that it’s to “help your eyes adjust in case of an emergency evacuation,” so you haven’t been in bright lights previously if you need to get yourself out of the plane.

Lights are dimmed in the cabin of aeroplanes during take-off and landing – especially at night or in low visibility conditions – for safety reasons.

In the unlikely event of an emergency during take-off or landing, and passengers need to evacuate, their eyes will already be adjusted to the lower light levels outside the aircraft.

This helps them see better and move more quickly if they need to find their way to exits.

When the cabin lights are dim, the emergency lighting in the flooring also becomes far more visible, and it helps guide passengers to the exits in case of an emergency.

Dimming the cabin lights reduces glare and reflections on windows, allowing passengers and crew to see outside more clearly. This can be important for situational awareness.

It’s also not the main reason; dimming lights can help conserve power for critical systems during important flight phases.

Celebrities and the world’s toddlers adore the long-running Aussie children’s TV entertainers, but now in it’s third reincarnation, the punishing schedule has taken its toll on the kiddie supergroup

Robert De Niro, Dolly Parton and Jessie J are fans, they’re worth millions and play sell-out concerts around the world. The Wiggles – aka The Beatles for toddlers – are a preschooler’s entertainment juggernaut that has taken over the world.

They’ve got a new country album out, Wiggle Up Giddy Up, featuring two songs with the rhinestone queen herself, Dolly Parton. And tickets to their current world tour are hotter than an Oasis reunion gig.

They have previously sold out Madison Square Garden in New York for 12 days in a row and, ahead of this week’s show in the US, Hollywood legend De Niro, 81, was granted a backstage pass with his two-year-old daughter, Gia, to meet her idol – founder member, Anthony Field (Blue Wiggle).

Like most people over the age of five, De Niro didn’t have a clue about this global phenomenon until he had Gia with professional martial artist girlfriend Tiffany Chen, 45.

The Wiggles sang their classic banger Rock-A-Bye Your Bear for the veteran actor’s family, which drew a rare smile. And De Niro admitted: “I didn’t know of them until I started seeing them and my daughter loves to watch them… but they’re great!”

With the advent of YouTube and the arrival of their shows on Netflix, a new British audience is embracing The Wiggles.

When they came to the UK recently, Jessie J met them with her son Sky and was treated to some of the Tree of Wisdom’s viral TikTok dance moves.

They’re also part of a wave of Australian children’s TV, like Bluey, that is captivating British kids, giving them Aussie accents and pushing CBeebies off the map.

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Borkowski PR’s Gregor Cubie expects his 19-month-old to join the fan club soon, and wonders if ‘Aussie-ness’ is the magic ingredient wooing international audiences.

“In the same way that Bluey is almost universally popular and accessible, The Wiggles’ sheer Aussie-ness might work in their favour when it comes to their reputation,” he says.

But, scratch the surface, according to Gregor, and you’ll find a long-running supergroup, dogged by controversy, ill health and accusations of “going woke”.

One of Australia’s most successful exports, The Wiggles take it in turns with pop sensation Kylie Minogue and Hollywood actor Russell Crowe to top the Aussie rich list.

Majority owner Anthony is estimated to be worth £25m, on top of the £10 million a year the band rakes in from tours, TV shows, new releases, merchandise and sponsorships.

They have their own TV series Ready, Steady, Wiggle, have produced 62 studio albums, sold 40 million books, CDs and DVDS, and attracted more than 5 billion views on YouTube and 3 billion streams across various music services.

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They’ve been making ear-worm sing-a-long pop since 1991, when kindergarten teaching students Anthony and Jeff Fatt, who were members of the R&B pop band the Cockroaches, and got together with two fellow students – Murray Cook and Greg Page – in Sydney, to make an album of simple, catchy songs for pre-schoolers

After Anthony’s infant niece tragically died from sudden infant death syndrome, the Cockroaches disbanded.

One of the songs Anthony wrote, Get Ready to Wiggle, inspired the new band’s name because they thought “wiggling” describes how children dance.

“We met at university doing a course in early childhood – this connection with music and teaching is what became The Wiggles,” explains Anthony.

While The Wiggles has evolved since those early days, the four original members hold a special place in people’s hearts – Anthony and Jeff Fatt (Purple Wiggle), Murray Cook (Red Wiggle) and Greg Page (Yellow Wiggle). And their hits like Hot Potato and Fruit Salad, were toddler dance floor fillers for the next two decades.

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While members have changed, the primary colours of red, yellow, blue and purple that they wear is no doubt the secret of the Wiggles’ success with the ankle biters.

In Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles 2023 documentary, Anthony says: “It doesn’t matter who wears the skivvies, as long as we reflect our audience and communicate with children.”

Like any band, they had to break America to go truly global – and when the Disney Channel played them four times a day to their 85 million subscribers, their success was meteoric. All of a sudden, they were playing 10,000 seater arenas.

PR, Gregor puts their success down to a “combination of their prolific output with its ceaseless ability to hypnotise toddlers”.

He adds: “Also, a less extreme version of the Royal Family’s ‘never complain, never explain’ approach. Instead of saying nothing, they say the bare minimum and carry on as if nothing happened.

“You rarely see naval-gazing and the consistency and popularity of their work keeps generations of kids coming back for more.”

While there aren’t many skeletons to rattle in The Wiggle cupboards, behind their happy faces and signature finger point, members have been dogged by setbacks.

Controversies include the Hot Potato incident two years ago, when a council in Western Australia played their famous song on loop to deter anti-social behaviour at a homeless shelter.

The Wiggles complained, saying their music should only be used to “spread joy and happiness” but the damage was done.

But the fact De Niro was happy to be pictured with The Wiggles is a massive endorsement.

“Robert De Niro seems increasingly like the kind of guy who considers how his every public appearance and utterance might affect his legacy, so it’s a pretty major stamp of approval that he’s happy to be publicly associated with the Wiggles. Fundamentally they are free of reputation risk,” says Gregor.

“The irony is that the Wiggles have had a few controversies which are fairly stereotypical of long-running bands – walkouts, inter-band marriages and divorces; allegations that a song is racially insensitive, accusations of going ‘woke.’ They’ve been ruthlessly parodied on 30 Rock and, of course, the Hot Potato incident was unpleasant.”

For members of The Wiggles, the squeaky clean expectations can be tricky.

“During my time in The Wiggles, I was out at a gig one night and I was having a drink, and the next day a newspaper reported: ‘The Wiggles member caught having a beer’, and that was a shock. I am an adult!” says Murray.

And doing 400 to 500 shows a year – cramming up to three gigs into a single day – took its toll on the original members, with Jeff, Murray and Greg retiring for health reasons in 2012.

A mystery illness forced Greg to leave in 2006. He was replaced by Sam Morans, but came back in 2012. Then he suffered a heart attack on stage during a 2020 reunion show. That same year, Murray had open heart surgery.

Revealing his own struggles, Anthony released a memoir Out Of The Blue last year, detailing the years of mental and physical health problems he’s suffered, including depression, undiagnosed ADHD and chronic pain.

Yet Field created a second generation of Wiggles with Simon Pryce (Red Wiggle), Lachlan Gillespie (Purple Wiggle) and the first female, Emma Watkins (Yellow Wiggle).

“We might be responsible for their first experience of music,” says Emma, speaking about their responsibility to their tiny fans

Sadly, trouble soon upended their paradise, as shortly after Yellow Wiggle Emma married Purple Wiggle Lachie, they divorced and she left the group not long after.

Another shake-up in 2021 saw 15-year-old Tsehay Hawkins becoming Yellow Wiggle.

Now 62, Anthony is the only remaining original Wiggle, in a group of eight performers – Tsehay, Lachlan, and Simon, as well as Caterina Mete, Lucia Field, Simon Pryce, Evie Ferris, John Pearce – who are as gender-diverse and racially-diverse as their millions of fans.

Costumed characters, played by the more junior Wiggles, include Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dog, and Captain Feathersword.

While some of the newer members say their estimated £72,000 earnings are a fraction of the big bucks of the original members, they have given the group a bigger presence on social media, where the Tree of Wisdom (played by Anthony’s nephew, Dominic Field) regularly goes viral on TikTok, with his exuberant dance moves.

And, in recent years, they’ve been noticing something new – a generational crossover, as kids grow up, but remain fans.

Dorothy the Dinosaur is also now a DJ, who remixes the original Wiggles classics for the older audience. And they’ve been getting down with the cool kids – covering songs by Fatboy Slim, White Stripes and Tame Impala’s Elephant.

“We’re bringing back happy memories,” says Anthony. “And it’s a real privilege to do that.”

Altogether now, kids, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle!

Classic kids TV groups down the years:

The Monkees, 1960s – Four cute surfer boys Davy Jones, Mickey Donlenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith running around in zany plots to brilliant pop tracks, in a sitcom that captured the spirit of the era.

The Banana Splits, 1970s – Four costumed animal characters who’d perform songs and comedy skits in a psychedelic world, was just as weird and fun as it sounds. The makers had clearly been on the wacky baccy.

Rainbow, 1980s – Presenter Geoffrey and his camp puppets Zippy, George and Bungle and hippy singers Rod, Jane and Freddy took us “Up above the streets and houses, Rainbow climbing high” every week. I still miss them.

Teletubbies, 1990s – Some called it the most disturbing children’s show on TV – but even now millions of babies are glued to repeats of these four tubby aliens, Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa-laa, and Po, with coat hangers on their heads living on a mini golf course.

Zingzillas, 2000s – Puppet monkey band Zak, Tang, Panzee and Drum lived on a tropical island and made real music together and introduced tots to rock, soul, jazz and samba styles – along with some dodgy titles like Do You Didgeridoo?

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Lexie Limitless, real name Lexie Alford, became the youngest person to travel to every country at the age of 21 and has since travelled around the world, sharing her experiences

A globe-trotting traveller who’s visited every country in Europe has claimed one nation on the continent has the bluest water she’s “ever seen”. Lexie Limitless, a US YouTuber who became the youngest person to visit every country at the age of 21, has opened up about her experiences exploring Europe, highlighting some of the continent’s “underrated” nations.

The adventurous traveller, real name Lexie Alford, boasts half a million YouTube subscribers and broke the record after exploring all 196 countries and now boasts the impressive following. In a Europe-themed video, she reveals six less-traditional but breathtaking destinations across Europe.

Lexie, who also goes by Lexie Limitless on Instagram, described one nation as a cultural “melting pot” with a blend of Islamic and European “influences”, and another as having the most stunningly blue river waters she’s ever encountered.

She remarked: “I would say that one of the top underrated places has to be Slovenia. There are some incredible hiking paths and literally the bluest water I’ve ever seen in rivers.”

Slovenia, formerly part of Yugoslavia, is a small nation situated in Central Europe. It is bordered by Austria in the north, Italy to the West, Croatia to the south, and Hungary to the northeast.

In addition to its dazzling waters, Slovenia also boasts many impressive caves. In fact, it’s home to more than 10,000, including the World Heritage-listed Krizna Jama Cave and the 20km Postojna.

She gushed: “I also loved Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Again, incredible river running through this city that really felt like a melting pot between both Islamic and European influences, with a lot of very rich history to learn while you’re there.”

Further sharing her travel tales, Lexie said: “I think also the cutest little village I’ve ever been to, which I actually saw in one of those…while I was on one of those river cruises, was a place called eský Krumlov in the Czech Republic.”

Describing the locale, Lexie spoke of its “crazy bridges” and “aqueduct-looking architecture”, as well as its “beautiful rivers” and “adorable cafes”.

She referred to it as “quintessentially” the European village of everyone’s Disney-inspired dreams.

However, not stopping at just these gems, Lexie also praised Sweden in the summertime, the picturesque Valle Verzasca in Switzerland, and the enchanting Bruges in Belgium, which cinephiles might recall from the 2008 Colin Farrell movie ‘In Bruges’.

Topping her list of favourite countries globally is the secluded mountain kingdom of Bhutan in Asia, which is nestled between India and China. Lexie highlighted Bhutan for its unique distinction of being deemed the “happiest country in the world”.

She also hailed Bhutan as one of the globe’s “best-kept secrets”, insisting that the world has “so much to learn from this tiny country”.

From the beginning of next week, soap fans will be able to watch Emmerdale and Coronation Street via a whole new service – leaving many fans rejoicing at the news

Soap fans were both excited and confused when ITV announced a major change to their weekly output. For decades, fans have tuned in to watch new episodes of Emmerdale and Coronation Street on the channel when they air on week day evenings.

But as of Monday 30 June, fans will be able to watch new episodes from the beginning of the day as they will be available to view online hours before they transmit via traditional transmission avenues. Taking to social media on Sunday, social media channels connected to the soaps shared exciting news with fan.

The update revealed that new episodes will be available to watch via YouTube for the first time. The official Coronation Street Instagram page announced: “Soap fans, rejoice!

“Starting tomorrow, full episodes will be available on YouTube from 7am — the same day they air on TV!” The update included an image showing Emmerdale and Corrie characters posing beneath logos of their respective soaps.

The update thus caused some confusion – as some fans thought that the cast of the soaps were being merged. One follower remarked: “I literally thought Debbie was joining Emmerdale for a moment there!”

And others were excited to learn that they would be able to watch their favourite soaps via a new format – as many complained the ITV app is nigh on unusable.

One hopeful soap fan commented: “Nice I hate itvx with their [user interface] and 27 ads a ep.” And another commented: “This is awesome news! Yayyy!”

In recent months, ITV has announced a number of changes regarding the way Corrie and Emmerdale will be broadcast. In February it was revealed the schedule would be changed from the beginning of next year.

A statement from the broadcaster explained: “From January 2026, Coronation Street and Emmerdale will move to a new scheduling pattern on ITV1, introducing a soaps power hour from Monday-Friday, with 30 minute Emmerdale episodes at 8pm, and 30 minute Coronation Street episodes at 8.30pm. Episodes will continue to drop at 7am on ITVX, before transmission that evening.”

ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment Kevin Lygo said at the time:“The new commissioning pattern is viewer-led. We already give more choice than ever to viewers on how they watch us through ITVX and we want to present their favourite soap to them, in the most digestible way.

“In a world where there is so much competition for viewers’ time and attention, and viewing habits continue to change, we believe this is the right amount of episodes that fans can fit into their viewing schedule, to keep up to date with the shows.

“Research insights also show us that soap viewers are increasingly looking to the soaps for their pacey storytelling. Streaming-friendly, 30 minute episodes better provide the opportunity to meet viewer expectations for storyline pace, pay-off and resolution.

“Whilst viewing is growing on ITVX, we know a significant proportion of our soaps’ audience still watch us via the schedule. This new pattern is in the DNA of the soap genre – nobody else does 30 minute drama this successfully. It creates a soap power hour that’s consistent, and easy to find in the linear schedule, for the UK’s biggest soaps.

“This new commissioning pattern will mean five hours of soaps a week, rather than the current six. We are conscious this will have an impact for the people who work on the soaps team. We will support our colleagues in ITV Studios as they work through these changes, and will do what we can to mitigate the impact on our people.

“These changes are motivated by doing what we believe is best for the continuing success of these important programmes in the long term. They also create headroom in the overall programme budget for investment in programming that can help ITV grow reach in a very very competitive market.”

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JAKE PAUL says he was set to earn $100MILLION against Canelo Alvarez – and planned to bet $2m on himself to win.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer and Mexican great were close to sealing a shock deal to fight on May 3 in Las Vegas.

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But Canelo walked away from talks to instead sign a four-fight deal with Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh – KOing Paul’s huge payday.

He said on the Iced Coffee Hour podcast: “How much would I have made? Like $100million (£73m).”

Paul even planned to back himself for $2m (£1.4m) on himself in a bid to boost his earnings 20 fold.

He said: “Against Canelo I was going to bet like $2m on myself…

“I would probably have been like a +1000 (10/1) underdog so whatever the maths is – if I would’ve bet $2m I would have made like $20m.”

Fighters are allowed to bet on themselves to win in the state of Nevada – where the bout was scheduled for.

Paul’s last fight in November saw Mike Tyson controversial come out of retirement aged 58 as 100 MILLION watched on Netflix.

But after talks with Canelo collapsed, Paul instead signed to fight ex-middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 39, on Saturday.

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Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

JAKE PAUL’S controversial boxing career rolls on this weekend with the Problem Child facing boxing royalty in Anaheim, California.

Paul will face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, a highly-decorated former world middleweight champion.

The Mexican, 39, has fought just once in the last four years but has the best boxing resume of any fighter to step into a ring with Paul – bar Mike Tyson, who was aged 58 at the time they fought.

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Canelo, 34, meanwhile beat William Scull, 32, in Riyadh in May to regain his undisputed super-middleweight world titles.

And he now defends them against unbeaten American Terence Crawford, 37, in their September 13 super-fight in Vegas.

Paul, 28, claimed he was blocked from boxing Canelo in a bid to restrain his earning potential.

He said: “They don’t want him to fight me because I have people who dislike me in the sport and don’t want to see me succeed and win and be the biggest name in the sport.”

Cara, who runs The Magic Geekdom channel, spent the day in Knaresborough and said she was “seriously considering” moving to the UK after her visit to the North Yorkshire town

An American YouTuber has been left utterly enchanted by Yorkshire, declaring her desire to relocate after being awestruck by the region’s charm.

The vlogger named Cara, who operates The Magic Geekdom channel with a following of 75,700 subscribers, has had her “mind blown” by Knaresborough, which she dubbed a “hidden gem”.

In the blurb for her most recent video, entitled This Yorkshire Town Made Me Want to Move to the UK (Again), she shared: “I’ve been wanting to visit this Yorkshire town for YEARS after seeing it in a YouTube video and it absolutely lived up to the hype.

“This charming place completely stole my heart with its medieval castle ruins, fantastic cream tea in a 400-year-old tearoom, and England’s oldest paid tourist attraction.” She added: “By the end of the day, I was seriously considering how much those riverside houses cost…”

Kicking off her video as the sun rose, she remarked on Knaresborough’s “lovely, sleepy and quiet” atmosphere at dawn.

Diving into the local sights, her adventure began at Knaresborough Castle, where she expressed to her audience: “A sign at the entrance says there’s been a castle here since the 12th century which always blows my American mind.”

Subsequently, she was taken aback by the spectacular views from the castle grounds, affording panoramic views not only of the landscape but also of the impressive viaduct and the township below.

She said: “It is just really beautiful here. I am sure part of it is that we are here early but there is something very peaceful and lowkey that I really enjoy about Knaresborough so far.”

Echoing Cara’s sentiment, a former police officer who patrolled the town shared his experience in the comments section, saying: “I was lucky to be a village bobby here for 6 years. Knaresborough folk were the best and policing the town was a dream.

“The local nick is right next to [the] castle and [has a] surprise view overlooking the viaduct.

“It was the best feeling ever to be able to go out, walk the town on foot, and take in the view at first light with a pork pie from the local baker who seemed to be the only other living soul up and at work.”

The officer reflected that this sense of fulfilment will always stay with him, before emphasising: “Some things in life are as good as the expectation but occasionally they are better.”

On her day out, Cara popped by Honey Bee’s at Hannah’s for some cream tea before making her way down to the riverside.

She described the area as “so beautiful” and noted that despite more people arriving, it managed to retain its tranquil charm. During her explorations, she remarked on the “magnificent looking” homes and expressed her desire to live there, while recognising they appeared quite pricey.

The globetrotting tourist, who’s explored the length and breadth of the UK, next experienced England’s most ancient visitor spot, Mother Shipton’s Cave, followed by a museum showcasing petrified possessions of famous individuals like John Wayne, Agatha Christie, Warrick Davis, and Queen Mary at the local wishing well.

Reflecting on her day, she cheerfully commented: “What a lovely day out this place is. It is just full of mystery. It has a nice stroll through the woods and cool petrified things – you can’t go wrong.”

Her video captured the hearts of many, with one local responding: “I live in Knaresborough. And it is indeed beautiful. It’s a thrill to think that you were here.”

Another encouraged: “If you wanna move to England, get the process moving, you’re more than welcome.”

An excited American shared their anticipation: “My first ever trip from the US to England is in two days and I’m beyond excited to explore Yorkshire.”

And a Lancashire woman reminisced: “Lancashire lass here, but my lovely dad was a Yorkshire man, so I lay claim to having Yorkshire blood. At least once a month, he’d drive us down the A59 across the border to breathe some good Yorkshire air and Knaresborough was one of our favourites. And Yorkshire tea is the only tea I drink, nothing else comes close.”

The social media user claimed to have found the most underrated city in Europe, sharing a short video of the destination, which is known for its incredible architecture

Praise has been lavished on an historic city dating back to the Middle Ages with a population of just 560,000 people and the largest designated cyclist area in Europe. In a short video on YouTube, @MarkEarthExplored shared a video of “a true hidden gem”.

With just 60 followers to his name, the intrepid explorer exclaimed in his latest offering: “I found the most underrated city in Europe.” Clocking in over 130 likes, the footage takes viewers on a visual jaunt through Ghent, the jewel of Belgium’s East Flanders province and its third-largest urban sprawl.

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Steeped in antiquity as one of the nation’s eldest cities, Ghent boasts a tapestry of historical richness and awe-inspiring architecture epitomised by the towering Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, peaking at 292 feet.

Ghent’s treasure trove of landmarks features The Groot Vleeshuis, a grandiose former market hall, the ancient Gravensteen castle harking back to 1180, and the sacred walls of St Elisabeth Church, nestled within one of the city’s three beguinages.

If bricks and mortar history isn’t your cup of tea, Ghent has a smorgasbord of museums to tickle your fancy, reports the Express.

The prestigious Museum voor Schone Kunsten houses a staggering array of artwork amounting to 9,000 pieces dating as far back as the Middle Ages, majorly spotlighting Flemish masterpieces beside those of other European virtuosos.

Meanwhile, the Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst (SMAK), or City Museum for Contemporary Art in layman’s terms, parades a dazzling permanent exhibit featuring scene-stealing pieces from icons like Andy Warhol and Francis Bacon.

Alternatively, food enthusiasts can indulge in some of Ghent’s mouth-watering specialties, such as the sweet, cinnamon-spiced “mastellen” or “Saint Hubert bread” bagels.

A mastel is a soft, bagel-like treat flavoured with cinnamon and sugar, offering a delightful taste experience.

Another local delight is the praline chocolates, also known as cuberdons or “neuzekes” (little noses), which are cone-shaped and filled with a sweet raspberry-flavoured filling.

Visitors can easily reach Ghent by plane, train, or car. By train, the journey from London takes approximately three hours, while a flight takes around one hour.

Driving from London to Ghent takes roughly 4.5 hours, although the duration may vary depending on the specific starting location.

JAKE PAUL revealed he is goading Anthony Joshua about being knocked out – as their “s*** talking” ramps up behind the scenes.

Paul audaciously called out the two-time heavyweight champion on his podcast earlier this year – vowing to knock Joshua out.

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It did not take long for AJ to quite literally call the prankster-turned-prizefighter’s bluff by phoning him up – but Paul countered by suggesting a 2026 fight date.

And Paul has now revealed the two are already goading each other privately over social media – as all’s fair in love and war.

He said: “It was all nice, we’ve been cordial. He DMd me today like saying “LOL” to one of my training clips and then I sent him a “LOL” of of him getting knocked out.

“And so I guess like we’re kind of s*** talking, behind the scenes a bit. But I have a lot of love for Anthony Joshua.

“I think this type of stuff is funny and he’s a great guy and I think just a fight between us would be awesome and I do believe I can win.”

Joshua, 35, is yet to fight since being KO’d by Daniel Dubois, 27, at Wembley in September having undergone elbow surgery in May.

Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed AJ hopes to return before the year is over – meanwhile Paul faces ex-middleweight world champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on June 28.

It comes after he stepped up to heavyweight in November to face Mike Tyson – who controversially made a comeback aged 58.

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Still over 100 MILLION tuned in to watch Paul’s eight-round points win on Netflix – but it came at the cost of piling on TWO STONE.

And Paul – who gorged on pasta, steaks and potatoes to bulk up – admitted the heavyweight jump was “brutal”.

The 28-year-old added: “It was just too much and my body wasn’t made for it and even when I got into the ring I just felt too fat.

“So cruiserweight is definitely the perfect weight for me.”

Paul will come down from 16st 2lb to the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb to face Chavez in California.

It followed after Canelo Alvarez, 34, pulled out of a shock deal to fight Paul in Las Vegas on May 3 – instead signing with Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh.

Canelo – who beat Chavez on points in 2017 – regained his undisputed super-middleweight titles with victory over William Scull in May.

And now he defends the 168lb thrown in a September 13 super-fight against unbeaten American Terence Crawford, 37, as Paul was forced to look elsewhere.

But he said: “Chavez and I have been going back and forth for a long time and he’s always been a great opponent on the list of someone that I wanted to fight.

“And now it made perfect sense to go up against him as a former world champion and just continuing to further my resume and get more time under the lights.”

Paul also revealed he is in talks to fight current cruiserweight champions Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, 33, and Badou Jack, 41.

And with Gervonta Davis, 30, also lined up for an exhibition bout – Paul says he is boxing’s most desired man.

He joked: I’m like like Megan Fox from Transformers movie like everyone wants me! So there’s not enough time to do it all and it could make sense. Look, it might.

“It might line up but at the end of the day, there’s 100 people that want to fight me. I got Canelo, Gervonta, Anthony Joshua, Badou, Zurdo, Tommy Fury, KSI, the list keeps on going.

“It’s just about what makes sense and we’ll see when the negotiations come but I would for sure entertain a fight with him.”

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Twisted creators on YouTube are taking advantage of Peppa Pig’s popularity, leaving children at risk of viewing inappropriate content. The platform removed two worrying examples after being contacted by The Mirror

With its wholesome storylines documenting everyday family life, Peppa Pig is a children’s TV staple. And there was much excitement recently when fans were treated to the arrival of a new member of the family – a baby girl piglet named Evie.

But while the show itself is universally trusted by parents, watching it on YouTube can be a different matter. As a hugely popular cartoon for kids, Peppa Pig has been a target for twisted YouTube creators over the years. This week, a search by The Mirror found a clip called ‘MLG Peppa Pig (PARODY)’ within seconds, which showed the character holding a machine gun. Made eight years ago, it has been watched 18 million times. A second disturbing creation called ‘Peppa does Drugs’ showed the pig snorting cocaine.

In response to our investigation, a YouTube spokesperson told us “We’ve removed both videos from YouTube and terminated a channel for violating our child safety policies, which we rigorously enforce. Neither of the videos shared by The Mirror have ever appeared in the YouTube Kids app, our recommended experience for younger viewers.

READ MORE: ‘I named my baby Evie before the Peppa Pig announcement – now I’m scared she will be oinked at’

“Our teams remain vigilant, and will continue to take further actions as needed.” While YouTube maintains its main platform is not for children, research suggests 80 per cent of 3 to 17 year olds in the UK regularly watch it nonetheless, mainly on their phones and devices.

The tech giant says it prohibits content targeting young minors and families, which contains inappropriate themes, with videos flagged and reviewed using a combination of human reviewers and AI. YouTube places age restrictions and warnings on graphic content that doesn’t violate guidelines but is inappropriate for users under 18 years of age.

Professor Sonia Livingstone, a social psychologist at the London School of Economics and expert on child online safety, told the BBC back in 2017: “It’s perfectly legitimate for a parent to believe that something called Peppa Pig is going to be Peppa Pig.

“And I think many of them have come to trust YouTube… as a way of entertaining your child for ten minutes while the parent makes a phone call. I think if it wants to be a trusted brand then parents should know that protection is in place.”

The so-called ‘Dark Peppa’ videos first surfaced in 2017, when an investigation by BBC Trending unearthed hundreds of YouTube videos that appeared to be episodes of Peppa Pig and Thomas the Tank Engine, but were actually parodies with inappropriate themes.

One video appeared to be an episode of Peppa Pig featuring a dentist with a huge syringe. Peppa’s teeth got pulled out, and distressed crying could be heard on the soundtrack in the fake clip. Parent and journalist Laura June stumbled across the episode when she was looking for something for her three-year-old daughter to watch on YouTube.

“This is not like a video of an animated Peppa Pig getting high with Snoop Dogg (that is also available) made for adults to laugh at,” she said. “These videos are for kids, intentionally injected into the stream via confusing tags, for them to watch instead of legit episodes of beloved shows.”

While some of the videos use the characters in more innocent ways, others appear to be deliberately designed to trick children into watching disturbing content. One channel called “Toys and Funny Kids Surprise Eggs” had a landing page with a picture of a toddler alongside official-looking pictures of Peppa Pig, Thomas the Tank Engine, the Cookie Monster, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Elsa from Frozen.

However, many of the videos on the channel at the time had titles like “BABY HULK BITES BABY ELSA”, “NAKED HULK LOSES HIS PANTS” and “SPIDERBABY CUTS ELSA’S DRESS”. Some of the darker ones also depict violence and frightening situations.

YouTube said that users can flag any problematic content by clicking on the “… More” button underneath a video and clicking “Report”.

The BBC report led to the channels highlighted in the investigation being removed – including the one containing the video of fake Peppa visiting the dentist. The company also suggested that parents use the YouTube Kids app, which has a much higher bar for content allowed on the platform.

Parents are able to block specific content, set the age level of videos and report videos. YouTube also blocks search queries that are vulnerable to returning mature results.

The Mirror contacted Hasbro, the makers of the Peppa Pig, for comment.

Walt Disney Co. has secured the exclusive streaming rights to the children’s TV series “CoComelon,” according to people familiar with the matter, taking one of the most popular kids’ programs in the world away from Netflix.

Starting in 2027, Disney+ will have every season of “CoComelon,” a compilation of nursery rhymes for toddlers, according to the sources, who asked not to be identified discussing a deal that hasn’t been announced. The Burbank-based movie, TV and theme-park company will pay tens of millions of dollars annually for the rights, one person said.

“CoComelon” has been one of the most-popular kids’ programs in the world for almost a decade. Its flagship YouTube channel has 193 million subscribers and averages more than 2 billion views a month, according to Social Blade. It was the second-most-watched program on Netflix in 2024, trailing only the “Bridgerton” shows.

The series adds to an already strong lineup of kids’ programming on Disney+, which is home to the most-watched preschool show on streaming, “Bluey,” as well as classic Disney films and TV shows. Disney had three of the most-watched preschool shows in the U.S. in the first quarter of this year with “Bluey,” “Spidey and his Amazing Friends” and “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.”

Former advertising executive Jay Jeon created the YouTube channel in 2006 to entertain his child and sold it to U.K.-based Moonbug Entertainment in 2020. Moonbug was later acquired by Candle Media, an independent media firm led by former Disney executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs. Moonbug, which declined to comment, will continue to post videos of “CoComelon” on YouTube while Disney+ will be the exclusive paid streaming home.

The popularity of “CoComelon” on Netflix has waned over the last 12 to 18 months. While the show was the fifth most-watched program in all of streaming in 2023, it didn’t appear in the top 10 last year. Viewership has declined by almost 60% over the last couple of years. Netflix will continue to be the home of “CoComelon Lane,” an original series, as well as “Blippi,” another property owned by Moonbug.

Disney has been the biggest brand in kids’ entertainment for a century, producing beloved characters such as Mickey Mouse and the Little Mermaid. But many of the most popular new properties for kids began outside of Hollywood. Bluey, for example, is from the Australian Broadcasting Corp. and BBC Studios.

Disney is placing renewed emphasis on kids’ programming as it competes with Netflix and YouTube, which is the most popular video service in the world, especially with viewers under age 30. Disney+ had 126 million subscribers at the end of March, up 1.4 million from the three previous three months.

In addition to “CoComelon,” Disney is licensing several seasons of “Little Angel” and a couple seasons of “JJ’s Animal Time,” two other Moonbug shows. “Little Angel” will remain available on YouTube, Netflix and Amazon.

Streaming services that once focused primarily on signing up new customers are increasingly occupied with keeping customers for as long as possible. The longer that subscribers stay with a service, the less likely they are to cancel and the more valuable they are to advertisers. Kids’ programming drives a lot of engagement for streaming services. It accounts for about 15% of all viewing on Netflix, the company said last week. Netflix closed 2024 with more than 300 million paid subscribers.

On May 19 the company announced an agreement to begin carrying new and old episodes of the children’s classic “Sesame Street” and also has the hit kids’ show “Gabby’s Dollhouse.”

“CoComelon” will arrive on Disney+ the same year that a movie based on the property will be released in theaters by Universal Pictures.

Shaw writes for Bloomberg.

In the last several years, YouTube has become an increasingly formidable competitor to streaming services and entertainment studios, providing videos from amateur and professional creators, as well as livestreaming major events and NFL games.

Now its growing threat to studios is playing out in the courts.

The Google-owned platform recently poached Justin Connolly, president of platform distribution from Walt Disney Co.

On Wednesday, Disney sued YouTube and Connolly for breach of contract, alleging that Connolly violated an employment agreement that did not expire until March 2027 at the earliest.

Connolly oversaw Disney’s distribution strategy and third-party media sales for its streaming services like Disney+ and its television networks. He also was responsible for film and TV programming distribution through broadcasting and digital platforms, subscription video services and pay networks.

As part of his role, Connolly led Disney’s negotiations for a licensing deal renewal with YouTube, Disney said in its lawsuit.

“It would be extremely prejudicial to Disney for Connolly to breach the contract which he negotiated just a few months ago and switch teams when Disney is working on a new licensing deal with the company that is trying to poach him,” Disney said in its lawsuit.

Disney is seeking a preliminary injunction against Connolly and YouTube to enforce its employment contract.

YouTube did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At YouTube, Connolly will be become the company’s head of media and sports, where he will be in charge of YouTube’s relationships with media companies and its live sports portfolio, according to Bloomberg.

YouTube accounted for 12% of U.S. TV viewing in in March, more than other streaming services like Netflix, according to Nielsen. YouTube’s revenue last year was estimated to be $54.2 billion, making it the second-largest media company behind Walt Disney Co., according to research firm MoffettNathanson.

Unlike many other major streaming platforms, YouTube has a mix of content made by users as well as professional studios, giving it a diverse and large video library. More than 20 billion videos have been uploaded to its platform, the company recently said. There are over 20 million videos uploaded daily on average.

Streaming services such as Netflix have brought some YouTube content to their platforms, including episodes of preschool program “Ms. Rachel.”On a recent earnings call, Netflix co-Chief Executive Greg Peters named YouTube as one of its “strong competitors.”

Connolly entered into an employment agreement with Disney on Nov. 6, Disney said in its lawsuit. That contract ran from Jan. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2027, with Connolly having the option of terminating the agreement earlier on March 1, 2027, the lawsuit said.

As part of the agreement, Connolly agreed not to engage in business or become associated with any entity that is in business with Disney or its affiliates, the lawsuit said. Disney said YouTube was aware of Connolly’s employment deal with Disney but still made an offer to him.

Entertainment companies have brought lawsuits in the past to stop executive talent poaching by rivals.

In 2020, Activision Blizzard sued Netflix for poaching its chief financial officer, Spencer Neumann. That case was later closed, after Activision asked to dismiss the lawsuit in 2022.

Netflix years ago also faced litigation from Fox and Viacom alleging executives broke their contract agreements to work for the Los Gatos-based streaming service. In 2019, a judge issued an injunction barring Netflix from poaching rival Fox executives under contract or inducing them to breach their fixed-term agreements.

Editorial library director Cary Schneider contributed to this report.