Billion Dollar Baby! Baby Shark Made $22 Billion With Viral Video

Are you ready to dive into the ocean? No? Well, at least join us as we dive into the depths of the internet. And yes, those two are related. In recent news, “Baby Shark”, the viral YouTube video, has just accomplished a major feat! The deep-sea earworm we all love to hate has managed to not only convince toddlers of the quality of the song but the financial world as well. Baby Shark is officially part of the Billions Club now after they have reached a staggering $22 billion.

The Most “Annoying” YouTube Video Just Made Over $22 Billion

The YouTube video “Baby Shark” has allegedly generated a staggering $22 billion in revenue from over 12 billion views, according to an estimate by Bonus Insider. Originally posted on the platform in June 2016, the song gained popularity as a viral kids’ dance trend globally by 2017. Despite rumors suggesting its origin as a campfire song from the late 20th century, some people speculate that it might have been composed by camp counselors inspired by the 1975 Steven Spielberg thriller Jaws.

Who Is Behind Baby Shark?

Pinkfong, the parent company of the YouTube channel responsible for the Baby Shark video, is a South Korean children’s educational brand. Originally named Smart Study and Smart Books Media, Pinkfong’s channel features children’s songs, with Baby Shark being the most popular. The company, headquartered in Seoul, was established in 2010 and has additional headquarters in Los Angeles (US) and Shanghai (China).

The Pinkfong version of the Baby Shark video, initially uploaded on YouTube in November 2015 without child actors, gained even more popularity with the Baby Shark Dance version posted in June 2016. By 2020, it surpassed Despacito with 7.04 billion views, making it the most viewed video globally. However, the lyrics of the Pinkfong Baby Shark have faced criticism for being deemed sexist by the South Korean daily Kyunghyang Shinmun.

The Global Phenomenon

Six months after its release, the global phenomenon of Baby Shark broke records, securing its position as the tenth most-watched YouTube video with 4.59 million views, a status it still holds. In 2022, Pinkfong announced a partnership with Toekenz Collectibles to create an interactive game, further expanding the Baby Shark franchise. Pinkfong continues to share engaging children’s melodies on their YouTube account, not only adding to the Baby Shark collection but also offering a diverse range of thousands of other children’s songs and stories.

How Baby Shark Is Breaking Records

The Baby Shark video has reportedly earned $22 million from views alone, indicating ongoing benefits for the Pinkfong Company. Its viewership, exceeding double that of popular songs like ‘Shape of You’ and ‘See You Again,’ places it as the most-watched video globally. Despite the competition, with five of the top 10 YouTube videos catering to children, ‘Johny Johny Yes Papa’ by LooLoo Kids is in third place with 6.7 billion views and an estimated revenue of $12 million.

What Is Pinkfong Doing Now?

Pinkfong has expanded its brand with animated TV series such as ‘Pinkfong Wonderstar’ and ‘Pinkfong Baby Shark Brooklyn,’ offering live shows in various countries across Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Singapore. The brand has become a consumerism phenomenon, with a range of products from toys and clothes to books filling the shelves. Bin Joeong, the CEO of Pinkfong USA, expressed excitement about collaborating with Toekenz, emphasizing the goal of providing families with an enjoyable experience. The partnership involves customizing Baby Shark avatars, engaging in digital asset trading, and playing original games that aim to be both entertaining and educational for parents and children alike.

The Shift of Famous YouTube Videos

The YouTube landscape has undergone a shift as viewers increasingly engage with catchy tunes, particularly those targeting children. Examples include ‘Bath Song’ by Cocomelon Nursery Rhymes, accumulating 5.71 billion views and $11 million, and ‘Phonics Song with Two Words’ by ChuChu TV, with 5.4 billion views and $9 million in revenue. This contrasts with earlier milestones in YouTube history, such as Gun N’ Roses’ ‘November Rain’ becoming the first video older than YouTube itself to reach one billion views in July 2018, and Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style’ earning the title of the first video to surpass one billion views in 2013.

Are you a fan of the Baby Shark franchise?

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