YouTube Demonetizes AI-Generated Fake Movie Trailer Channels

The platform has cut off ad revenue for Screen Culture and KH Studio following a Deadline investigation into misleading content and Hollywood studios' involvement.

YouTube has removed Screen Culture and KH Studio from its partner program, citing violations of monetization and misinformation policies.
The decision follows a Deadline investigation that exposed the channels' use of AI to create misleading fake movie trailers, which amassed nearly 2 billion views collectively.
Hollywood studios, including Warner Bros. Discovery and Sony, reportedly monetized these videos instead of enforcing copyright protections, drawing criticism from SAG-AFTRA.
The actors' union has condemned the exploitation of actors' likenesses and called for stronger enforcement of intellectual property rights against AI misuse.
Both channels, known for blending AI-generated content with clips from existing films, have defended their work as creative 'what if' scenarios and may appeal YouTube's decision.