How Much Does Critical Role Make?
Critical Role, a popular web series featuring a group of voice actors playing Dungeons & Dragons, has been making waves in the entertainment industry since its debut in 2015. The show's massive success has led to many fans wondering: how much does Critical Role make?
The Rise of Critical Role
Critical Role started as a humble web series featuring a group of voice actors, including Matthew Mercer, Marisha Ray, Travis Willingham, Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Ashley Johnson, and Liam O'Brien. The show's initial success on Twitch and YouTube led to it becoming a full-fledged media franchise, with animated series, comics, books, and even a production company, Critical Role Productions.
Revenue Streams
Critical Role generates revenue from various sources:
Subscription Services
- Twitch: Critical Role streams live on Twitch, where fans can subscribe to their channel for exclusive content, emotes, and other perks. With over 1.5 million followers, their Twitch channel generates a substantial income.
- YouTube: Critical Role's YouTube channel has over 2.5 million subscribers, with ads generating revenue from views.
Merchandise
- Critical Role Shop: The official Critical Role shop sells merchandise, such as apparel, accessories, and collectibles, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity.
- Hot Topic: Critical Role has partnered with Hot Topic to sell exclusive merchandise in-store and online.
Kickstarter and Crowdfunding
- The Legend of Vox Machina: Critical Role's animated special, The Legend of Vox Machina, was funded through a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, raising over $11.3 million.
Licensing and Partnerships
- Amazon Prime Video: Critical Role has a deal with Amazon Prime Video to stream their animated series, Critical Role: The Legend of Vox Machina.
- D&D and Wizards of the Coast: Critical Role has partnered with Wizards of the Coast, the owners of Dungeons & Dragons, to create exclusive content and promotions.
Estimating Critical Role's Income
While the exact figures are not publicly disclosed, we can make some educated estimates based on industry standards and available data:
- Twitch Subscriptions: With over 1.5 million followers, Critical Role's Twitch channel can generate around $3.75 million per month in subscription revenue (assuming an average subscription price of $2.50).
- YouTube Ad Revenue: Critical Role's YouTube channel can generate around $1.5 million per month in ad revenue (assuming a $1-2 CPM).
- Merchandise Sales: Critical Role's merchandise sales can generate around $500,000 - $1 million per month (assuming an average sale price of $20-50).
- Kickstarter and Crowdfunding: The Legend of Vox Machina Kickstarter campaign generated over $11.3 million, which can be used to fund future projects.
- Licensing and Partnerships: Critical Role's partnerships with Amazon Prime Video, Wizards of the Coast, and other companies can generate significant revenue, although exact figures are not publicly disclosed.
Annual Income Estimate
Based on these estimates, Critical Role's annual income can be around $50-70 million. However, this figure may be higher or lower, depending on various factors such as production costs, taxes, and other expenses.
Conclusion
Critical Role's success is a testament to the power of community-driven content and the popularity of Dungeons & Dragons. While the exact figures are not publicly disclosed, our estimates suggest that Critical Role generates a significant income from various revenue streams. As the franchise continues to grow, it will be exciting to see how they use their platform to create more engaging content and support charitable causes.