Netflix will begin streaming a curated collection of Drew Binsky’s travel documentaries on September 19, marking the latest in a string of deals bringing YouTube talent onto the platform without requiring them to leave YouTube behind, per Variety.

Binsky, who has built his channel around visiting all 197 UN-recognized countries, a goal he completed in 2021, will have his library available to Netflix’s global subscriber base starting with his recent episode “Entering The World’s Narrowest Island (100 Feet Wide).” Going forward, new episodes will release day-and-date on Netflix alongside YouTube and his other platforms rather than premiering exclusively on the streamer.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Drew Binsky (@drewbinsky)

Binsky launched his YouTube channel in 2017 and has since grown it to more than 7.3 million subscribers, with 22 million followers across all platforms. According to Variety, his documentaries generate more than 200 million views per month. He also wrote the 2024 book “Just Go” that chronicles his travels and holds two Guinness World Records, one for visiting the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 24 hours and another for the fastest suitcase-packing time.

“I’ve spent the last 15 years proving that the world is far friendlier than the headlines suggest, and now I am beyond excited to make that case on one of the world’s biggest stages,” Binsky said in a statement. “I hope that after watching my stories, I hope you will be inspired to book a plane ticket to somewhere (anywhere!).”

The deal extends a pattern of Netflix courting independent YouTube creators through licensing and content arrangements rather than exclusive poaching. Netflix recently signed a similar agreement with comedy creator Kevin Langue and has ordered original programming from YouTubers Mark Rober and Alan Chikin Chow. On Netflix’s July earnings call, co-CEO Ted Sarandos pointed to the streamer’s expanding creator lineup as part of its broader content strategy, citing a live “Hot Ones” special with host Sean Evans, whom he described as “a best-in-class creator,” and noting, “we’re thrilled to be in business together.”

The arrangement comes as YouTube pushes back against the flow of its top talent toward Netflix. According to Bloomberg reporting, YouTube has offered some creators multimillion-dollar incentives, including guaranteed shares of platform-brokered brand deals and production financing, in exchange for staying exclusive to the platform. YouTube has also reportedly excluded creators who sign with Netflix from marketing campaigns and brand-deal proceeds, telling creators that cross-posting to Netflix “conveys the idea that channels are deprioritizing YouTube as their primary outlet.”

Binsky’s nonexclusive structure, which keeps new episodes flowing to YouTube on the same schedule as Netflix, sidesteps the sharper exclusivity terms that have drawn creator hesitation elsewhere, including Netflix requests that creators deliver finished videos in advance and limit certain brand sponsorships.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Check Out Our Podcast