Comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi says he understands why many stand-up comics are locking their videos behind memberships, but would prefer to keep their YouTube videos free for everyone.
In an exclusive chat with NDTV, Bassi said, “I think it’s a personal choice… If a comic pays for everything alone, a members-only model helps recoup at least some of that money. I think it’s right.”
However, his approach is different. “For me, YouTube has always been a way to reach more people. Many people discovered my comedy through YouTube, and many of them later came to my live shows. So, I prefer to keep my videos free for everyone.”
His comments are particularly significant as internet chatter has swirled around India’s Got Latent, a popular show headlined by comedian Samay Raina, going behind a paywall on YouTube.
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How do comedians make money today?
Bassi says live shows, digital content and brand deals all matter. But he spends most of his time on stage, and that’s the part he enjoys the most. That said, YouTube has given him a huge audience. Brand tie-ups are also part of the mix. He only tries to work with brands where he can stay true to his style.
Bassi noted, the art form is changing, and new avenues are opening up. How a comedian earns depends on the artist. However, he added that he doesn’t think much about the business side. “My main focus is still writing and performing.”
When asked if online ticketing will translate into sales, Bassi said it could. “A comic usually puts out a video to build an audience for upcoming shows. Since he doesn’t release content very often, audiences who like videos often want to see him live,” he told NDTV.
A joke goes a long way before it reaches the audience, Bassey said. Stand-up is a live art form, and it feels different in a hall. Sitting with friends and hundreds of strangers, all laughing together, turns a comedy show into something bigger. “It becomes something that everyone can do together,” he said. This, in his opinion, can only be realized in a live show.
Asked to name three of his favorite comedians, Bassi chose Abhishek Upamanyu, Manik Mahna and Sumit Anand.
A 100 million-view moment
Notably, one of Bassi’s videos has now crossed 100 million views on YouTube. Bassey uploaded “Cheating” in 2019. He just hoped it would reach 5 million views and help him sell some tickets. “I never thought it would reach 100 million,” he said. “Even now, it’s hard for me to believe that a video from seven years ago still gets so much love.”
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Meanwhile, the Internet has changed where comics perform. Earlier, most shows were held in metropolitan cities. Now, audiences are showing up in larger numbers in smaller cities. Bassi said that now 20-25 percent of their ticket sales come from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The response in some places has surprised him. The turnout and economics can be so strong, he said, “a show in Raipur can sometimes be more profitable than one in a European city”.