Netflix has officially greenlit the second season of Inside, the reality series from YouTube sensations The Sidemen, marking a significant leap for online content transitioning to major streaming platforms. The upcoming season, inspired by the Big Brother format, is set to premiere early next year.
The first season of Inside debuted on YouTube, with the premiere episode racking up an impressive 14 million views on The Sidemen’s channel, which boasts 21.8 million subscribers. Collectively, the group commands a staggering 150 million subscribers across their various channels. The decision by Netflix to produce the second season highlights a rare but growing trend of YouTube-born shows breaking into mainstream streaming.
The seven-episode series will feature popular influencers locked inside a house, battling it out in a series of challenges for a potential prize of up to £1 million ($1.26 million). Produced in collaboration with Netflix, The Sidemen, and UK-based studio Cowshed Collective, the show promises to bring a fresh energy to the streaming platform.
Speaking to the BBC, Sidemen member Vik Barn expressed excitement about the partnership: “We’ve reached the peak of what’s possible on YouTube. Netflix represents the gold standard, and working with them shows how far we’ve come—from shooting videos in our bedrooms to collaborating with one of the world’s biggest platforms.”
George Cowin of Cowshed Collective described the deal as a pivotal moment in entertainment. “This commission signals a transformative shift. At Cowshed Collective, we’ve once again demonstrated our ability to create reality programming that not only captivates millions but also shapes cultural conversations across platforms,” he said.
The Sidemen—comprising KSI, Vik Barn, Ethan Payne, Harry Lewis, Joshua Bradley, Simon Minter, and Tobi Brown—have grown into one of YouTube’s most influential collectives, producing a wide range of content that resonates globally.
This move follows Netflix’s earlier acquisition of The Sidemen Story, a documentary chronicling the group’s rise to fame. With streaming giants eyeing the lucrative creator economy, Netflix’s Inside commission reflects an effort to capitalize on the success of YouTube-driven content. Similarly, Amazon recently inked a $100 million deal with MrBeast for his upcoming Beast Games reality series, set to debut next month despite production challenges.
For Inside, The Sidemen will take on executive producer roles alongside George Cowin and Ryan O’Shea of Cowshed Collective. The collaboration underscores a growing synergy between digital creators and traditional entertainment platforms, signaling a new era for the industry.