TikTok Shop Generates $100M in Sales During Black Friday Sales Event, MrBeast Joins Theo Von for Podcast and Shares New Trailer to Promote Beast Games, Instagram Rolls Out Three New Creator Updates for Broadcast Channels, YouTube Releases the Official 2024 Global Culture & Trends Report

TikTok Shop Generates $100M in Sales During Black Friday

According to a recent report from Business Insider, TikTok Shop generated more than $100 million in U.S. sales during Black Friday. A TikTok spokesperson shared with Business Insider that creators and sellers hosted more than 30,000 livestream shopping sessions during the momentous day.

Stormi Steele, content creator and founder of Canvas Beauty, reportedly earned over $2 million in a single TikTok livestream, highlighting the massive potential of social commerce in 2024. A representative from Canvas Beauty confirmed to Business Insider that the livestream alone sold more than 100,000 products, contributing to the brand's total revenue of over $3 million in Black Friday sales on TikTok Shop.

Additionally, the top-performing product categories on TikTok Shop during this year’s Black Friday included fashion, beauty, and home goods. Tarte Cosmetics and Miniso emerged as standout sellers, according to verified sources from TikTok. For deeper insights into consumer shopping behaviors and the role of influencer marketing during the holiday season, explore our Holiday Shopping Survey today.

MrBeast Gears Up for Launch of Beast Games on Amazon Prime

The first season of Beast Games, MrBeast’s reality game show series, premieres on Amazon Prime on December 19, alongside the launch of a dedicated Beast Games Roblox experience. Roblox strategist and consultant James Purell shared a sneak peek of the highly anticipated collaboration on LinkedIn. Purell revealed that the Roblox experience will feature weekly challenges for fans, over $5 million in prize payouts for winners, and the introduction of a new in-game currency called “Beast Bucks.”

Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, joined comedian Theo Von on the This Past Weekend podcast as part of his press tour for Beast Games. During the conversation, Donaldson and Von delved into the rigorous production process behind Beast Games, Donaldson’s journey on YouTube, and the inspiration driving some of his most notable philanthropy projects.

Donaldson shared the official Beast Games trailer with fans on X, formerly Twitter, offering a glimpse of the intense challenges that 1,000 contestants will face in their quest for a $5 million grand prize. Featuring record-breaking sets and high-stakes competitions, Beast Games promises to be one of the largest and most thrilling game shows yet.

Instagram Rolls Out New Updates for Broadcast Channels

Instagram recently announced new updates for Broadcast Channels, aiming to deepen creator-fan interactions and provide valuable insights for creators. Broadcast Channels are a popular way to engage audiences, with over 1.5 billion messages exchanged monthly, according to data from Instagram. Previously, fans could only react to messages, but now creators can enable richer conversations through three key updates.

Instagram's latest Broadcast Channel updates include new tools to enhance engagement and provide valuable insights. Fans can now reply directly to messages and each other, enabling real-time, organized conversations that creators can moderate. Prompts allow creators to spark discussions with Q&As or custom topics, with fan responses visible for 24 hours. Additionally, new metrics and personalized tips help creators track performance, identify trends, and optimize their channels effectively.

Replies, prompts, and channel insights rolled out globally last week on December 4th. Creators interested in accessing insights and best practices for Broadcast Channels may do so by tapping their channel name, selecting “Channel Performance,” and then selecting “See All” for detailed insights. Instagram encourages creators to learn more about Broadcast Channels including eligibility and features by visiting their Creator Help Center.

YouTube Releases 2024 Global Culture & Trends Report

YouTube released its official 2024 Global Culture & Trends Report revealing lists of the year’s trending topics, top creators, and top songs on Shorts. This year’s trending moments highlight the dynamic intersection of YouTube and pop culture, showcasing how creators shape major cultural events and transform personal passions into worldwide phenomena.

According to YouTube, “indie animators are making mainstream, must-watch hits online that fans are turning into full-fledged franchises” in the United States. Animated series with compelling stories and characters like Amazing Digital Circus are quickly growing in popularity, building active fan communities and spreading beyond single channels. Additionally, video podcasts played a vital role on YouTube in creating “newsworthy moments with far-reaching cultural relevance.” YouTube reported that the Club Shay Shay podcast received more than 528 million views in 2024 alone, more than 83 million of which came from a single episode guest-starring Katt Williams.

Creators have also taking gaming to the next level by transforming viral games like Roblox’s Dress to Impress into “pop culture phenomena” via engaging content that appeals to gamers and non-gamers alike. To learn more about the cultures and trends shaping YouTube and the creator economy at large, check out YouTube’s 2024 Global Culture & Trends Report! Which trends resonate with you most? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!