YouTube describes Multi-Channel Networks as "third-party service providers that affiliate with multiple YouTube channels to offer services that may include audience development, content programming, creator collaborations, digital rights management, monetization, and/or sales".

Do I need an MCN to earn money from Shorts?

No. Once you are in the YouTube Partner Program, YouTube pays you 45% of the Shorts revenue allocated to you by views. An MCN or agency is optional; its value is in what it adds, such as brand deals or rights help.

YouTube says MCNs "typically take a percentage of revenue from the creator's portion before paying them", and some add brand sponsorships or sales teams. Korean press reports a usual creator share of 70–80% of ad revenue.

Does joining an MCN change YouTube's revenue share?

No. YouTube says joining an MCN "has no impact on your revenue share with YouTube". What changes is what the network keeps from your share.

What should I check in the contract?

YouTube lists the fees, the services and support, your obligations, the contract duration and how to terminate. In Korea, check automatic renewal and early-exit penalties: the Fair Trade Commission corrected these terms at three large MCNs in 2021.

It depends on the contract. Many Korean MCN contracts run 2 or 3 years and renew automatically unless refused 30 days before the end, and some charge a penalty based on remaining months.

Is a creator agency the same as an MCN?

Not always. An MCN may manage your channel's monetization, while a creator agency may only find and negotiate brand deals. Ask which revenue the fee applies to before you sign.

How does AZ Entertainment work?

We find brand deals for you and negotiate them, and you decide on every deal. Your own platform income stays 100% yours; we share only the brand deals we bring (you keep 70%, or 50% with a Pro analytics plan included). Every offer comes in writing before you decide, you are paid within 14 days of the brand paying us, and you can join online today and leave any day.

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Guide / Creators / AZ Entertainment

What an MCN does for YouTube Shorts creators

Short answers to the questions Shorts creators ask most often about MCNs and creator agencies, based on YouTube's help pages and Korean public records.

Questions

What is an MCN?: YouTube describes Multi-Channel Networks as "third-party service providers that affiliate with multiple YouTube channels to offer services that may include audience development, content programming, creator collaborations, digital rights management, monetization, and/or sales" ^[2].
Do I need an MCN to earn money from Shorts?: No. Once you are in the YouTube Partner Program, YouTube pays you 45% of the Shorts revenue allocated to you by views ^[1]. An MCN or agency is optional; its value is in what it adds, such as brand deals or rights help.
How is an MCN paid?: YouTube says MCNs "typically take a percentage of revenue from the creator's portion before paying them", and some add brand sponsorships or sales teams ^[2]. Korean press reports a usual creator share of 70–80% of ad revenue ^[6].
Does joining an MCN change YouTube's revenue share?: No. YouTube says joining an MCN "has no impact on your revenue share with YouTube" ^[2]. What changes is what the network keeps from your share.
What should I check in the contract?: YouTube lists the fees, the services and support, your obligations, the contract duration and how to terminate ^[2]. In Korea, check automatic renewal and early-exit penalties: the Fair Trade Commission corrected these terms at three large MCNs in 2021 ^[4].
Can I leave an MCN?: It depends on the contract. Many Korean MCN contracts run 2 or 3 years and renew automatically unless refused 30 days before the end ^[3], and some charge a penalty based on remaining months ^[4].
Is a creator agency the same as an MCN?: Not always. An MCN may manage your channel's monetization, while a creator agency may only find and negotiate brand deals. Ask which revenue the fee applies to before you sign.
How does AZ Entertainment work?: We find brand deals for you and negotiate them, and you decide on every deal. Your own platform income stays 100% yours; we share only the brand deals we bring (you keep 70%, or 50% with a Pro analytics plan included). Every offer comes in writing before you decide, you are paid within 14 days of the brand paying us, and you can join online today and leave any day.

Sources

[1] YouTube Help — YouTube Partner Program overview & revenue shares — https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72902?hl=en
[2] YouTube Help — Multi-Channel Network (MCN) overview for creators — https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2737059?hl=en
[3] Seoul Metropolitan Government — standard contract for joining an MCN (Dec 2022) — https://news.seoul.go.kr/economy/archives/521079
[4] Korea Fair Trade Commission press release on unfair terms at three MCNs (5 Jan 2021), via KFCF — https://kfcf.or.kr/news/news/read.do?no=1359
[6] Asia Economy — typical Korean MCN revenue splits (2 Mar 2018) — https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/2018030210572636008

Last reviewed 2026-10-17. Public sources were read on the dates shown in each document; terms change, so check the current contract.

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