YouTube an avenue for indy media?

Since beginning their monetization program, YouTube has become a hub for video personalties to make real money from their videos. As the New York Times reported in 2008, some individuals like Michael Buckley have made serious cash — over $100,000 — from YouTube advertisements. Buckley is a host of a celebrity talk show and now a "certified life coach," but he and many other YouTubers are far from journalists. 

Many of the top YouTubers, listed here by number of subscribers, host comedy shows or are professional musicians and entertainers. These famous YouTubers are able to amass vast fortunes, such as famous comedian PewDiePie who earned $12 million in 2015. 

Yet, as this is an independent media blog, what sparks my interest is the potential of YouTube as an outlet for independent media and an alternate revenue stream. 

One prime example of reaching a wide audience on YouTube is online news show The Young Turks. The Young Turks has over 3 million subscribers on YouTuber with over 3 billion views on their videos. They've been on YouTube since 2005 and over the past 12 years have built quite the base of support. 

The Young Turks should serve as an optimal model for independent media companies hoping to attract a fan base on YouTube. By posting often and with a diverse set of videos, from quick reaction videos on current events to fully produced segments, The Young Turks has videos for every occasion. On YouTube like many other mediums, content is king.