The 5 Largest Youtube Channels in 2014 and in 2024

 

The 5 Largest Youtube Channels in 2014 and in 2024

Today we take a look at the 5 Largest Youtube Channels in 2014 and in 2024. YouTube has changed so much over the past decade, with its landscape shifting from individual content creators to corporate channels. 

2014: The Era of Individual Creators

In 2014, the biggest names on YouTube were individual content creators and entertainment channels that focused on a mix of gaming, comedy, and music.

1. PewDiePie (28 million subscribers, 111 million in 2024)
   PewDiePie was the undisputed king of YouTube in 2014, dominating with his gaming content and charismatic personality. Fast forward to 2024, and while he still boasts an impressive 111 million subscribers, his channel has been overshadowed by newer, more diversified content.

2. YouTube (22 million subscribers, 41 million in 2024)
   The official YouTube channel for platform announcements and featured content.

3. Smosh (18 million subscribers, 26 million in 2024)
   Smosh, a comedic duo that became a sensation with their skits and parodies, represents the early comedy wave on YouTube. Despite growing to 26 million subscribers by 2024, they have been eclipsed by more specialized and consistently engaging content creators.

4. HolaSoyGerman (17 million subscribers, 43 million in 2024)
   HolaSoyGerman was a massive hit in 2014, particularly among Spanish-speaking audiences. While the channel has grown to 43 million subscribers by 2024, its content hasn't captured the global audience in the same way newer channels have.

5. RihannaVEVO (14 million subscribers, 43 million in 2024)
   Rihanna’s official music channel highlighted the dominance of VEVO in the music video space back in 2014. By 2024, it has maintained its growth, reaching 43 million subscribers, but remains relatively small compared to today’s top channels.

2024: The Rise of Corporate Channels and Entertainment Giants

The YouTube landscape in 2024 is almost unrecognizable compared to a decade ago. The top channels are now predominantly large-scale operations, many of which are backed by significant corporate resources. These channels have tapped into niche markets and global audiences, leading to unprecedented subscriber counts.

1. MrBeast (312 million subscribers, less than 1500 in 2014)
   MrBeast's meteoric rise is a phenomenon in itself. Starting from a virtually unknown channel in 2014 with less than 1500 subscribers, he has soared to the very top of YouTube.

2. T-Series (272 million subscribers, 5 million in 2014)
   T-Series, the Indian music and film production giant, has seen an astronomical rise from 5 million subscribers in 2014 to 272 million in 2024. This growth reflects the increasing global influence of Bollywood and regional Indian content, as well as the power of YouTube’s Indian audience.

3. Cocomelon - Nursery Rhymes (181 million subscribers, 0.18 million in 2014)
   Cocomelon’s rise highlights the growing importance of children's content on YouTube. From a modest start with just 180,000 subscribers in 2014, it has exploded to 181 million in 2024, becoming a staple for parents and toddlers worldwide.

4. SET India (176 million subscribers, 3 million in 2014)
   Another Indian channel, SET India, shows a similar trajectory to T-Series. Growing from 3 million subscribers in 2014 to 176 million in 2024, it underscores the demand for Indian television content across a broad and diverse audience.

5. Kids Diana Show (125 million subscribers, established in 2015)
   Though Kids Diana Show didn’t exist in 2014, it has become one of the largest channels by 2024, with 125 million subscribers. Focused on a young girl’s adventures, it reflects the growing trend of family-friendly and relatable content that resonates on a global scale.

Sources: I collected the data for 2014 by visiting each channel on archive.org's WayBackMachine 

I have also created a chart which also includes the 2024 subscriber counts for the 2014 channels in parentheses, and vice versa, showing how these channels have grown or where they stood in the past.