Pirate Times On TV is one of the most underrated documentary-style storytelling channels exploding quietly under the radar. With just 26 videos, he’s pulled in 1.5M+ views and $3K+ in potential revenue — all while covering topics as chaotic and random as:

Living in Swiss bunkers
Training with the Japanese army
Investigating ancient maps of Atlantis
And even decoding the truth behind McDonald’s broken ice cream machines

This channel breaks every “niche down and focus” rule — and still wins.

📈 Why This Format Works

✅ Algorithm-Loved Mystery Titles — “I Lived in a Swiss Bunker” / “Why McDonald’s Ice Cream Machines Are Always Broken” are ultra-clickable ✅ Travel + History + Conspiracy Blend — It’s like Vox + Yes Theory + Internet Mysteries ✅ Immersive Storytelling — The creator becomes the main character, adding tension and relatability ✅ High Replay Value — Viewers stay for the full arc: the discovery, challenge, or twist ending ✅ Evergreen Videos — Nothing is news-based, so videos continue to rack up views months later

🧰 How You Can Clone This Model

1. Research “What If” Questions + Curious Phenomena Use ChatGPT or Reddit to mine ideas like:

“What’s inside [X]?”
“Why does [weird thing] exist?”
“I tried living like [Y] for 7 days…”

2. Script a Personal Journey Don’t just explain — experience. Frame every video like:

“I went to solve this mystery — here’s what happened.”

3. Film or Compile B-Roll

Use real footage (vlogs, interviews, footage from travels)
Or license clips / use AI-generated visuals for narration

4. Add Tension + Payoff Structure each video like a mini Netflix episode:

Setup the question
Explore the unknown
Confront something weird
Deliver a twist, insight, or personal reflection

5. Edit for Retention Use cinematic pacing, sound design, and suspenseful music. The goal: make the viewer feel like they’re on the journey with you.

💸 Monetization Blueprint

Estimated RPM: $2–$5 (if full monetization enabled) Last 30 Days Revenue Potential: $212 – $3.4K Lifetime Potential: Up to $7.5K already if monetized at $5 RPM

Ways to Monetize Further:

Sponsor Hybrid Docs – Partner with travel gear, VPNs, book platforms
Sell Digital Kits – eBooks like “How to Build a Documentary YouTube Channel from Scratch”
Behind-the-Scenes Memberships – Patreon for story pitches, interviews, unreleased travel footage
Repurpose to TikTok & Reels – Break stories into vertical content and drive viewers to full videos