YouTube has blocked Russell Brand from making money from promoting on the web video platform in response to allegations of rape, sexual assault and abuse in opposition to the British comic and actor.
YouTube mentioned it had “suspended monetisation” for Brand’s channels, which have greater than 6.6mn subscribers. The channels stay accessible to be seen.
Broadcasters corresponding to Channel 4 have taken down reveals which have featured or been hosted by the comic since The Sunday Times and Channel 4 made the allegations on Saturday that Brand dedicated rape, sexual assault and sexual and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013.
At the time he was starring in reveals on the BBC and Channel 4, and showing in Hollywood movies.
The BBC mentioned on Tuesday it had eliminated some content material from its iPlayer and Sounds platforms “having assessed that it now falls below public expectations”.
Brand used his fundamental YouTube channel @RussellBrand, in addition to social media platforms Instagram and X, previously Twitter, on Friday to disclaim the claims. He mentioned that his relationships have been “always consensual”.
YouTube mentioned its motion was in line with the way it had utilized its coverage prior to now, citing selections to demonetise YouTubers James Charles and David Dobrik following sexual misconduct allegations.
“If a creator’s off-platform behaviour harms our users, employees or ecosystem, we take action to protect the community,” the corporate mentioned.
Media consultants say that a lot of the comic’s revenue is prone to be from the YouTube channels, the place he has been posting movies positioning himself as a wellness and well being guru, in addition to on international politics and the media.
Other business companions have additionally reduce ties with him, together with his writer Bluebird, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, that was attributable to deliver out a guide in December, and the Curtis Brown-owned expertise company Tavistock Wood.
His stay tour dates have been postponed by the promoter after his final look at Wembley Park Theatre in London on Saturday evening, which started after the allegations have been reported by The Sunday Times and Channel 4.
The Metropolitan Police mentioned on Monday that it had obtained a report of an alleged sexual assault in 2003 following the allegations of sexual offences.
Broadcasters that employed Brand as a presenter or visitor have launched investigations into his conduct. The BBC mentioned the experiences “contained serious allegations, spanning a number of years. Russell Brand worked on BBC radio programmes between 2006 and 2008 and we are urgently looking into the issues raised”.
In its assertion on Tuesday the company mentioned it “does not ban or remove content when it is a matter of public record, unless we have justification for doing so.
“There is limited content featuring Russell Brand on iPlayer and Sounds. We’ve reviewed that content and made a considered decision to remove some of it, having assessed that it now falls below public expectations.”
Brand labored on spin-off Big Brother reveals produced by Endemol, which was acquired by Banijay UK in 2020. In response to “very serious allegations . . . relating to the alleged serious misconduct of Russell Brand while presenting shows produced by Endemol in 2004 and 2005”, Banijay mentioned that it had “launched an urgent internal investigation and will co-operate with any requests for information from broadcast partners and external agencies”.
Channel 4 mentioned that it was “appalled to learn of these deeply troubling allegations including behaviour alleged to have taken place on programmes made for Channel 4 between 2004 and 2007”. The broadcaster has taken down content material that includes Brand, corresponding to episodes of The Great British Bake Off.
Channel 4 mentioned it was “determined to understand the full nature of what went on”, including: “We have carried out extensive document searches and have found no evidence to suggest the alleged incidents were brought to the attention of Channel 4.
“We have asked the production company who produced the programmes for Channel 4 to investigate these allegations and report their findings properly and satisfactorily to us. Channel 4 is also conducting its own internal investigation.”
