Could Netflix’s Viral Teen Comedy Become Its Answer to YouTube?
A short-form hit expands
Set in a fictional pizza shop overlooking Onondaga Lake in Liverpool, New York, “Minimum Wage” follows teenagers at work. Digital creators, filmmakers and young performers spent months developing the show.
Since its May 2024 launch, the series has amassed more than 30 million views across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Netflix is taking the project to its streaming service in an effort to attract Gen Z viewers.
Streamers seek creator audiences
Entertainment companies have long tried to bring YouTube creators and online audiences to streaming platforms. Amazon Prime’s reality competition with MrBeast became the service’s most-streamed unscripted series, while Netflix canceled “Haters Back Off,” starring former YouTube personality Colleen Ballinger, after two seasons. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said during the company’s 2025 fourth-quarter earnings call that YouTube now competes with television for talent, advertising, subscriptions and content. He did not say which streaming services sought the rights to “Minimum Wage.”
Netflix keeps the original approach
Phelps said Netflix proved to be the strongest partner for American High Shorts, the production company behind the series. He said the company let the team continue its existing style while providing a much larger platform.
The original cast, made up largely of unfamiliar performers, remains in the expanded show. It includes Grace Reiter, who recently joined “Saturday Night Live.” Episodes generally last 12 to 20 minutes, shorter than the standard 30-minute network sitcom.
Key points
- “Minimum Wage” has received over 30 million views across three social platforms.
- Netflix is betting that Gen Z viewers will pay to watch the expanded series.
- The original cast remains, including Grace Reiter of “Saturday Night Live.”
- Episodes run 12 to 20 minutes, rather than the traditional 30 minutes.