Kunle Afolayan: YouTube Can't Compete with Netflix, Prime

Nigerian filmmaker and producer Kunle Afolayan expressed skepticism about the perception that YouTube is more financially rewarding for filmmakers than major streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video. In an interview with former Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun on the Nidacity podcast, Afolayan stated, “YouTube can never give you what Netflix and Prime Video give you, never.” He noted that YouTube's accessibility allows filmmakers to distribute their work directly, which is a significant advantage.

Afolayan explained that the current interest in YouTube among Nigerian filmmakers is largely due to the exchange rate, as creators earn advertising revenue in foreign currency while production costs are incurred in naira. He highlighted that if the naira strengthens significantly against the dollar, the attractiveness of YouTube could diminish.

Afolayan also pointed out that YouTube does not pay a fixed amount for views, with revenue varying based on several factors, including viewer location and advertising demand.