Hey, How'd You Draw 250 Million Viewers to Your Web Show, The Young Turks?

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies for distribution to colleagues, clients or customers, use the Reprints tool at the top of any article or visit: www.mbreprints.com.

Back to Previous Page

Back to Home > Content > Hey, How'd You Do That? > Hey, How'd You Draw 250 Million Viewers to Your Web Show, The Young Turks?

Mail Print

'You have to find your audience and be willing to take risks'

By Andrea K. Hammer - May 25, 2010

The Young Turks founder Cenk Uygur.
-Photo by Isaac Matthew White

In 2002, The Young Turks became the first original talk show on Sirius Satellite Radio. In 2005, with the emergence of video, founder Cenk Uygur and his crew purchased some cameras and started the first live, daily webcast on the Internet. Four years later came a Podcast Award for Best Political Podcast, one from Mashable for Best Political News Site, and a nomination for the Audience's Choice Award at the 2010 Streamy Awards. All of this with zero backing from traditional broadcast networks.

"The goal is supposed to be on television. We say, 'No, we can build a television network ironically not on television,'" says Uygur. "In TV, you have the pressure of 'every single minute has to deliver ratings gold.' Whereas we just let the audience pick. If people want to watch the story about Kim Kardashian more, we don't judge them; that's their choice. If they want to watch the story about Obama more, that's great. Everybody wins."

Today, The Young Turks has a sponsorship deal with Netflix, plans for a spinoff YouTube channel focused on bloggers, plus -- count 'em -- 250 million viewers and growing. Take that, Team Coco. ...

The How to Pitch series is worth its weight in gold. In just the first month I'd already benefited enough to consider the cost of joining well worth it. -- Gaen Murphree

Premium content, including our How to Pitch Guides, an indispensable tool for freelance writers. view sample >
Savings of up to $35 per class on mediabistro.com courses and seminars.
Insurance discounts for freelancers and small businesses, including medical, dental, auto and home.
Lots of other professional discounts, including ZipCar (a $50 value) and your choice of magazine subscriptions (a $10 value).

... and much more! View all benefits or Sign up now!