Smosh Hires MTV Vet Cory Midgarden as YouTube Sketch Comedy Channel’s First-Ever Chief Content Officer (EXCLUSIVE)

Why It Matters

By adding a seasoned digital‑media leader, Smosh aims to monetize its massive audience and transition into a multi‑platform entertainment company, positioning itself for higher‑margin revenue streams and brand partnerships.

Key Takeaways

• Cory Midgarden joins Smosh as first Chief Content Officer
• Smosh has 45.4M YouTube subs and 20B lifetime video views
• New role aims to turn Smosh into a premium, multi‑platform comedy brand
• Midgarden brings MTV digital experience, including VMA and creator‑led shows
• Smosh expanding production facility to support larger original series and live events

Pulse Analysis

Smosh’s decision to create a Chief Content Officer role reflects a broader industry trend where digital‑first creators are formalizing their operations to capture traditional media value. With over 45 million subscribers and billions of views, the brand has proven its ability to attract audiences, but revenue growth now hinges on turning viral sketches into evergreen franchises. Cory Midgarden’s tenure at MTV, where he amplified event coverage and launched creator‑driven series, equips him to build repeatable formats that can be licensed, merchandised, or adapted for television and streaming services.

Midgarden’s mandate extends beyond YouTube; he will oversee talent pipelines, brand partnerships, and cross‑platform distribution. By leveraging his experience with high‑profile properties like the Video Music Awards and shows such as "Wild ’N Out," he can introduce structured development cycles, data‑driven audience insights, and higher production values. This strategic shift aims to position Smosh alongside legacy comedy houses, making its content attractive to advertisers seeking brand‑safe, demographic‑rich inventory and to studios hunting ready‑made IP for adaptation.

The hiring also signals confidence in the profitability of digital comedy as a cornerstone of broader media portfolios. As advertisers allocate more spend to creator‑centric ecosystems, Smosh’s expanded facility and talent‑driven franchise model could unlock new revenue streams, from branded integrations to live‑event ticket sales. Competitors will watch closely, as Smosh’s evolution may set a template for other YouTube powerhouses seeking to translate subscriber counts into sustainable, multi‑channel entertainment businesses.