Philip DeFranco#Rogue Rocket

DeFranco was born Philip James Franchini Jr. in The Bronx, New York City, New York.{{cite web | url = http://www.phillyd.tv/about/ | title = About PhillyD.tv | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090412080902/http://www.phillyd.tv/about/ | archive-date = April 12, 2009 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/TheRealDeFranco/about|title=Philip DeFranco about|website=Facebook.com|access-date=June 12, 2013}} He is of Italian descent.{{cite web|last=DeFranco|first=Philip|url=https://www.facebook.com/DeFrancoNation/posts/10151105515124407|title=Also for the 3 of you freaking out that my real last name isn't DeFranco; it essentially is.|publisher=Facebook|quote=DeFranco is what I started telling people when they kept butchering my real last name which is Franchini pronounced Fran-keeny.|date=August 28, 2012|access-date=May 2, 2017}}

He was a student at the University of South Florida (USF),{{cite news|last=Rampbell|first=Catherine|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/09/AR2007090901641.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=YouTubers Try a Different Forum: Real Life | date=September 10, 2007}} a biology student at Asheville–Buncombe Technical Community College,{{cite news | title = For 1 college video blogger, it's a really strange trip | first = Andrew | last = Ratner | url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/2007/09/23/for-1-college-video-blogger-its-a-really-strange-trip/ | newspaper = The Baltimore Sun | date = September 23, 2007 | access-date = March 24, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120822031853/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2007-09-23/news/0709220310_1_youtube-video-bloggers | archive-date = August 22, 2012 | url-status = live | ref = sunfranchina }}{{cite web |last=DeFranco |first=Philip |url=http://www.myspace.com/sxephil |title=sXePhil – MySpace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219221637/http://www.myspace.com/sxephil |archive-date=February 19, 2007 |access-date=January 7, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} and later a junior at East Carolina University. In 2007, DeFranco lived in Tampa, Florida, and later Atlanta, Georgia. Once in Florida, he used his USF student loan to purchase a computer and camera.{{cite web |last=DeFranco |first=Philip |url=http://phillyd.tv/post/12242834218/this-video-hurts-my-soul-there-is-a-difference |title=This video hurts my soul. There is a difference |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128052238/http://phillyd.tv/post/12242834218/this-video-hurts-my-soul-there-is-a-difference |archive-date=November 28, 2011 |access-date=July 12, 2020 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |last=DeFranco |first=Philip |url=http://phillyd.tv/post/11745950397/an-update-on-the-book |title=An update on the Book |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122153601/http://phillyd.tv/post/11745950397/an-update-on-the-book |archive-date=November 22, 2011 |access-date=July 12, 2020 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} He worked as a waiter in a number of restaurants while making videos in 2007.{{cite web | url = http://www.phillyd.tv/home/ | title = Cool Stuff: Filed Under (Uncategorized) |author= Philly D. (sXePhil) |date= July 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715011103/http://www.phillyd.tv/home/ |website=PhillyD.tv| archive-date= July 15, 2007}} DeFranco lived in a car until moving back with his father in Tampa, on condition that he would return to college, which he ultimately did not do.{{cite news|last=Chmielewski|first=Dawn C.|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-youtube-news-philip-defranco-elections-hub-20120828,0,4409102.story|title=YouTube gives wacky anchorman Philip DeFranco greater exposure|work=Los Angeles Times|date= August 28, 2012| access-date= August 28, 2012}}

DeFranco was raised Catholic but later identified as atheist.{{Cite web |date=December 3, 2013 |title=IDIOT ROBBER SHOT. THEN IT GETS EVEN FUNNIER. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phjRySZU3io |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228045521/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phjRySZU3io |archive-date=February 28, 2014 |access-date=April 28, 2023 |website=YouTube}}

{{Main|The Philip DeFranco Show}}

On September 15, 2006,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/sxephil/about|title=Philip DeFranco – YouTube about page|publisher=YouTube|access-date=April 1, 2020}} DeFranco created his YouTube account during his finals at East Carolina University, originally registered as "sxephil", in which he talks about "newsie type stuff, and things that matter to [him] today."{{cite web|last=Eigenheer|first=Michelle|url=http://www.louisvillecardinal.com/2012/09/webshows-smarter/|title=Webshows that make you smarter|publisher=The Louisville Cardinal|date=September 11, 2012|access-date=September 21, 2012}} DeFranco has cited his early influences as Ze Frank, Dane Cook, and the Vlogbrothers.{{cite web|last=Humphrey|first=Michael|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelhumphrey/2015/08/26/philip-defranco-youtubes-original-everyman-is-growing-on-his-terms/#47175215176c|title=Philip DeFranco: YouTube's Original Everyman Is Growing On His Terms|work=Forbes|date=August 26, 2015|access-date=April 2, 2020}}{{cite AV media|last=DeFranco|first=Philip|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG1C1d51Fxw|title=End of the Road For Me|work=The Philip DeFranco Show|publisher=YouTube|quote="When I started this show, I was inspired by great people. Like Ze Frank or the Vlogbrothers, and knowing I could never be as good as them, I did my own thing.|date=November 3, 2008|access-date=April 2, 2020}} Early on, he began calling his news-centered videos The Philip DeFranco Show.

Before the YouTube partner program was available, he asked for donations from his viewers after claiming to have run out of money, and selling everything except his Mac, camera, and clothes, and overdrawing his bank account so he could spend a night in a hotel as he found it too scary sleeping in a car in Brooklyn.{{cite web | url = http://www.phillyd.tv/home/ | title = PhillyD.tv | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070612222246/http://www.phillyd.tv/home/ | archive-date=June 12, 2007 | access-date = July 13, 2012}}

In August 2007, DeFranco conducted an experiment by uploading a video titled "Big Boobs and You". The video's thumbnail image was what the title described, except that the image only flashed for a split second. The rest of the video's content was DeFranco talking. It quickly became his most successful video at the time, with 1.8 million views. From then on he changed his content to sex, gossip, and news.{{cite news | title = The bait is sexy; be prepared for a switch | first = David | last = Sarno | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-oct-14-ca-webscout14-story.html | work = Los Angeles Times | date = October 14, 2007 | access-date = November 23, 2012}} In 2012, YouTube redesigned their website, as videos with cleavage thumbnails attracted many clicks but were abandoned instead of being watched.{{Cite web|url=https://youtube-creators.googleblog.com/2012/08/youtube-now-why-we-focus-on-watch-time.html|title = YouTube Now: Why We Focus on Watch Time}}

An online viewer census from September 2007 showed that one-third of his viewers were 16- and 17-year-old girls. DeFranco used his large audience to win a Spore Creature Creator game promotion competition, and in doing so beat celebrities such as Stan Lee, Katy Perry, and Elijah Wood.{{cite web|last=Terdiman|first=Daniel|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/celebrities-get-their-chance-to-make-spore-creatures/|title=Celebrities get their chance to make 'Spore' creatures|website=CNET|date=September 2, 2008|access-date=April 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406234658/http://www.cnet.com/news/celebrities-get-their-chance-to-make-spore-creatures/|archive-date=April 6, 2015}} The winner's prize was to choose which charity would receive a donation of $15,000. He chose the PKD Foundation,{{Cite web|url=https://pkdcure.org/|title=Polycystic kidney disease {{!}} PKD Foundation|website=PKD Foundation|language=en-US|access-date=March 5, 2017}} an organization dedicated to fighting polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which he attributed to his family's history with the condition. DeFranco's large online audience also enabled him to win Wired{{'}}s Sexiest Geek of 2008 competition, a reader-voted contest.{{cite magazine|last=Wallace|first=Lewis|url=https://www.wired.com/2008/12/sexiest-geeks-o/|title=Sexiest Geeks of 2008, as Voted by Wired.com Readers|magazine=Wired|date=December 31, 2008|access-date=April 5, 2015}} DeFranco entered the 2010s having his "sxephil" channel as the fifth-most subscribed on the platform.{{cite web|last=Leskin|first=Paige|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-2010-popular-channels-where-they-are-now-nigahiga-fred-2019-12|title=The 10 most popular YouTubers at the beginning of the decade — and where they are now|work=Business Insider|date=December 31, 2019|access-date=April 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231223552/https://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-2010-popular-channels-where-they-are-now-nigahiga-fred-2019-12|archive-date=December 31, 2019}}

File:Philip DeFranco by Gage Skidmore.jpg

Entering 2012, DeFranco was signed with Revision3, a multi-channel network (MCN).{{cite web|last=Baldwin|first=Drew|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2012/01/06/philip-defranco-revision3/|title=Exclusive: Revision3 Exec On Signing Philip DeFranco|publisher=Tubefilter|date=January 6, 2012|access-date=September 9, 2012}}{{cite magazine|last=Wallenstein|first=Andrew|url=https://variety.com/2012/digital/news/revision3-signs-philip-defranco-1118048175/|title=Revision3 signs Philip DeFranco|magazine=Variety|date=January 5, 2012|access-date=September 9, 2012}}{{cite news|last=Shapiro|first=Evan|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/evan-shapiro/gangnam-style_b_1923147.html|title=We Have Watched 2,100 Years of 'Gangnam Style'|work=Huffington Post|date=October 2, 2012|access-date=October 3, 2012}} Revision3 itself was a subsidiary of Discovery Digital Networks (DDN). DDN would later be sold by its parent Discovery Communications into Group Nine Media, in 2016.{{cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/discovery-thrillist-nowthis-dodo-merger-1201887821/|title= Discovery Investing $100 Million to Merge Thrillist, NowThis, The Dodo in New Digital Venture |work=Variety|date=October 13, 2016|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} The Philip DeFranco Show was fully acquired by Revision3 in May 2013, along with his other assets at the time.

In September 2012, it was reported that DeFranco received almost 30 million views a month,{{cite web|last=Mahoney|first=Sarah|url=http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/184115/can-one-tv-brand-reach-10-billion-devices.html|title=Can One TV Brand Reach 10 Billion Devices?|publisher=MediaPost|date=September 28, 2012|access-date=October 1, 2012}} while by October, his channel was noted to have accumulated 2 million subscribers. The Philip DeFranco Show was nominated at the 3rd Streamy Awards in the "Best First-Person Series" and "Best News and Culture Series" categories.{{cite web|url=http://www.streamys.org/nominees-winners/3rd-annual-nominees/|title=3rd Annual Nominess|publisher=Streamys|access-date=January 20, 2013}} In January 2013, DeFranco took part in a Google+ Hangout with United States Vice President Joe Biden and Guy Kawasaki, discussing gun laws.{{cite web|last=Raghavan|first=Ramya|url=http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/fireside-hangouts-join-vice-president.html|title=Fireside Hangouts: Join Vice President Biden in a discussion about gun violence|publisher=Blogspot|work=Google Official Blog|date=January 23, 2013|access-date=January 24, 2013}}{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LYlkknrku4|title=White House Hangout with Vice President Joe Biden on Reducing Gun Violence|work=Obama White House|publisher=YouTube|date=January 24, 2013|access-date=April 2, 2020}}

All of his channel's videos from before March 13, 2017, have been removed from public viewing.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/@PhilipDeFranco/videos|title=Videos|via=YouTube|accessdate=March 30, 2025}} In May of that year, DeFranco announced he was no longer working with Group Nine Media and would instead be an independent creator again.{{cite AV media|last=DeFranco|first=Philip|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7frDFkW05k|title=It's Time For You To Know...|date=May 1, 2017|work=Philip DeFranco|publisher=YouTube|access-date=May 1, 2017}} In addition to this, DeFranco announced the launch of DeFranco Elite, a crowdfunding initiative on Patreon; DeFranco Elite functioned as a way for fans to help fund The Philip DeFranco Show, which DeFranco stated would help avoid the series' funding to be tied to YouTube ad revenue.{{cite web|last=Gutelle|first=Sam|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2017/05/01/philip-defranco-elite-patreon-news-network/|title=YouTube Star Philip DeFranco Splits With Group Nine Media, Launches Crowdfunded News Network|work=Tubefilter|date=May 1, 2017|access-date=April 1, 2018}} By the end of the year, The Outline noted that DeFranco had over 13,000 Patreon subscribers donating an amount of money that while undisclosed was enough to rank him within the platform's top 20 creators.{{cite web|last=Knepper|first=Brent|url=https://theoutline.com/post/2571/no-one-makes-a-living-on-patreon?zd=1&zi=wqdqzdm4|title=No one makes a living on Patreon|work=The Outline|date=December 7, 2017|access-date=April 1, 2020}} In 2019, DeFranco was earning approximately $50,000 a month from Patreon.{{cite web|last=Alexander|first=Julia|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/25/18744246/youtube-demonetization-steven-crowder-patreon-advertising-merch|title=YouTube looks to demonetization as punishment for major creators, but it doesn't work|work=The Verge|date=June 25, 2019|accessdate=February 19, 2022}}

DeFranco's coverage of issues concerning YouTube culture—such as PewDiePie's alleged anti-Semitism controversy and the DaddyOFive child abuse story—were among those most cited by online and mainstream media publications.{{cite web|last=Thorne|first=Will|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/pewdiepie-antisemitism-saga-youtubers-reactions-1201991626/|title=Prominent YouTubers Rally Around PewDiePie in Anti-Semitism Saga|work=Variety|date=February 17, 2017|access-date=April 2, 2020}} In his stories covering the DaddyOFive channel, DeFranco highlighted the channel's creators Mike and Heather Martin, and the abuse they inflicted on their children in videos posted on the channel.{{cite web|last=Soteriou|first=Stephanie|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/youtubers-lose-custody-children-philip-defranco-highlights-abuse-videos-102501052.html|title=YouTubers lose custody of children after Philip DeFranco highlights abuse in their videos|work=Yahoo! News|date=May 3, 2017|access-date=April 1, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Geoff|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2017/08/11/daddyofive-parents-2-counts-child-neglect/|title=Parents Behind DaddyOFive Charged With 2 Counts Of Child Neglect|work=Tubefilter|date=August 11, 2017|access-date=April 1, 2020}} DeFranco's coverage and criticism of the channel sparked a community backlash and heightened media attention that led to the Martins losing custody of two of their children, and ultimately being charged with and found guilty of child neglect.{{cite web|last=Augenstein|first=Neil|url=https://wtop.com/frederick-county/2017/09/parents-behind-daddyofive-prank-videos-plead-guilty-neglect/|title='DaddyOFive' parents found guilty of neglect, avoid jail|work=WTOP News|date=September 11, 2017|access-date=April 1, 2020}} Another topic DeFranco was noted by media publications for covering in 2017, was that of demonetization of YouTube creators.{{cite web|last=Alexander|first=Julia|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/27/16556980/youtube-demonetization-update-adpocalypse|title=YouTube rolls out first update to fix major demonetization problems|work=Polygon|date=October 27, 2017|access-date=April 2, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Tamburro|first=Paul|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/350605-youtube-called-out-by-community-h3h3productions-for-valuing-celebrities-over-creators|title=YouTube Branded Hypocritical For Valuing Celebrities Over Creators|work=Game Revolution|date=October 9, 2017|access-date=April 2, 2020}} DeFranco continued to be frequently cited as critical of the platform, regarding issues involving ad revenue and demonetization, with noted criticism of ads being allowed on the YouTube channels of mainstream talk shows but not on those of native creators.{{cite web|last=Alexander|first=Julia|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/10/16453306/youtube-monetization-ads-casey-neistat-philip-defranco|title=YouTube fixing monetization issues with 'premium tier' partners after complaints|work=Polygon|date=October 10, 2017|access-date=April 1, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Gutelle|first=Sam|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2017/06/06/philip-defranco-next-show-off-youtube/|title=Philip DeFranco Calls Out What He Sees As YouTube's Ad Double Standard, Vows To Take Next Show Elsewhere|date=June 6, 2017|access-date=April 1, 2020}} Due to hot-button topics that can arise when delivering the news, DeFranco's content is particularly prone to being deemed "unfriendly" to advertisers.{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Geoff|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2017/06/24/hank-green-philip-defranco-adpocalypse-aging-vidcon/|title=Hank Green, Philip DeFranco Discuss Adpocalypse And Aging During VidCon One-On-One|work=Tubefilter|date=June 24, 2017|access-date=April 1, 2020}}

In June 2017, DeFranco's channel was cited by The Verge as having over 5.4 million subscribers.{{cite web|last=Plaugic|first=Lizzie|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/7/15662976/youtube-gossip-vloggers-drama-alert-keemstar-scarce-tabloids|title=YouTube's gossip vloggers have created their own tabloid industry|work=The Verge|date=June 7, 2017|access-date=April 2, 2020}} DeFranco's subscriber growth slowed down in 2017, although his channel's monthly views continued to yield growing numbers.{{cite web|last=Ghosh|first=Shona|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/the-worlds-biggest-youtube-stars-are-seeing-a-massive-slowdown/articleshow/62316454.cms|title=The world's biggest YouTube stars are seeing a massive slowdown|work=Business Insider|date=December 31, 2017|access-date=April 1, 2020}}

In October 2018, BetterHelp gained attention from YouTube personalities after concerns were raised about alleged use of unfair pricing, paid reviews from actors, and questionable terms of service. Along with creators like Shane Dawson, DeFranco faced backlash for being among their most high-profile supporters. Both DeFranco and BetterHelp CEO Alon Matas addressed the issue, giving statements to Polygon's Julia Alexander.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/10/15/17967362/philip-defranco-betterhelp-scam-drama-youtube|title=Philip DeFranco, BetterHelp CEO speak out on YouTube's mental health controversy|last=Alexander|first=Julia|website=Polygon|date=Oct 15, 2018|access-date=October 16, 2018}} On October 15, DeFranco tweeted that he had formally ended his relationship with BetterHelp.{{Cite tweet|number=1051954343513976833|user=PhillyD|title=Before posting today's show I wanted to release a final update regarding BetterHelp. Thank you for taking the time to read.|author=Philip DeFranco|date=October 15, 2018|access-date=October 16, 2018}} In 2020, Anthony Fauci appeared on DeFranco's show for an interview, with the goal of bringing information related to the COVID-19 pandemic to younger audiences.{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Geoff|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/03/27/youtube-lilly-singh-philip-defranco-coronavirus-interview/|title=YouTube Taps Lilly Singh, Philip DeFranco, Others For Coronavirus Interview Series With Dr. Fauci|work=Tubefilter|date=March 27, 2020|access-date=April 2, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Romero|first=Dennis|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dr-anthony-fauci-closes-distance-social-media-generation-n1171371|title=Dr. Anthony Fauci closes distance with social media generation|publisher=NBC News|date=March 29, 2020|access-date=April 2, 2020}}

In 2007, DeFranco opened his second YouTube channel, "'PhilipDeFranco", which includes a series of vlogs which he calls The Vloggity.{{cite web|last=Trachtenberg|first=Lance|url=http://archive.placevine.com/blog/2012/06/01/the-vloggity-intelligent-venting/|title=The Vloggity: Intelligent Venting|publisher=Placevine|date=June 1, 2012|access-date=March 5, 2013|archive-date=January 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109234843/http://archive.placevine.com/blog/2012/06/01/the-vloggity-intelligent-venting/|url-status=dead}} He also streamed on BlogTV twice a week and took a cut of the revenue which was up to $12 CPMs.{{Cite web|url = https://www.businessinsider.com.au/blogtv-s-youtube-stars-making-real-money-company-isn-t-2008-10|title = BlogTV's YouTube Stars Making Real Money, Company Isn't|date = 22 October 2008|access-date = 12 July 2020|archive-date = 12 July 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200712205637/https://www.businessinsider.com.au/blogtv-s-youtube-stars-making-real-money-company-isn-t-2008-10|url-status = dead}} In 2008, he stated in an interview that his listed salary of $250,000 from a number of sources on the Internet, including and beyond YouTube, was initially a joke, but would become accurate.{{cite book|title=Celeb 2.0: How Social Media Foster Our Fascination with Popular Culture|year=2009|isbn=978-0-313-35689-6|publisher=Praeger Publishers|last=Burns|first=Kelli S.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aVCPQBqM9rsC}} He has been paid by companies to create videos to promote Carl's Jr.'s burgers,{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/08/24/online-video-ads-cmo-network-videoads.html | work=Forbes | first=Laurie | last=Burkitt | title=Brands Flock to Niche Video Networks | date=August 24, 2009}} and the US television series Lie to Me and Fringe.{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hitviews-tapped-by-fox-to-market-fringe-and-lie-to-me-62093072.html|title=Hitviews Tapped by FOX to Market 'Fringe' and 'Lie to Me'|publisher=PR Newswire|access-date=December 25, 2013}}

DeFranco was a founding member of The Station, but left only a few months after it was created.{{cite web|last=Cohen|first=Joshua|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2012/02/10/phil-defranco-pays-himself-100k-a-year/|title=Phil DeFranco Pays Himself $100K a Year|publisher=Tubefilter|date=February 10, 2012|access-date=September 1, 2012}} DeFranco's early attempts at launching channels with scopes outside of his eponymous news series included BamBamKaboosh and TheDeFrancoUpdate.{{cite web|url=https://newmediarockstars.com/2012/12/shay-carl-philip-defranco-and-kassem-g-sound-off-on-ray-william-johnson-controversy-via-twitter/|title=Shay Carl, Philip DeFranco and Kassem G Sound Off On Ray William Johnson Controversy Via Twitter|work=NewMediaRockstars|date=December 12, 2012|access-date=April 1, 2020}} DeFranco also launched Like Totally Awesome (LTA), in which video reviews of a movie, video game, or technology were submitted by viewers and compiled into an episode of a video series called The Quad.{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Liz Shannon|url=http://gigaom.com/video/philip-defranco-brings-together-aspiring-youtubers-for-like-totally-awesome/|title=Philip DeFranco Brings Together Aspiring YouTubers for Like Totally Awesome|publisher=GigaOM|date=January 13, 2010|access-date=September 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102020414/http://gigaom.com/video/philip-defranco-brings-together-aspiring-youtubers-for-like-totally-awesome/|archive-date=November 2, 2010}} The show was run by Sarah Penna, the creator of the YouTube multi-channel network Big Frame.{{cite web|last=Eördögh|first=Fruzsina|url=http://readwrite.com/2012/07/18/sarah-penna-the-most-influential-new-media-entrepreneur-youve-never-heard-of#awesm=~otmiCpgc7d5vRJ|title=Sarah Penna: The Most Influential New Media Entrepreneur You've Never Heard Of|publisher=ReadWrite|date=July 18, 2012|access-date=January 18, 2014}} Early in his YouTube career, Penna aided DeFranco, securing him coverage in news articles and magazines, such as Fast Company. One of those articles mentioned that DeFranco frequently collaborated with the advertising agency, Mekanism.{{cite magazine|last=Laporte|first=Nicole|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/3007141/digital-hollywood/how-digital-agent-sarah-penna-makes-hollywood-and-youtube-click|title=How Digital Agent Sarah Penna Makes Hollywood and YouTube Click|magazine=Fast Company|date=March 18, 2013|access-date=January 18, 2014}}{{cite magazine|last=Borden|first=Mark|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1615327/mekanism-guarantee-they-engineer-virality|title=The Mekanism Guarantee: They Engineer Virality|magazine=Fast Company|date=May 1, 2010|access-date=January 18, 2014}}

In July 2010, DeFranco co-created CuteWinFail, along with Toby Turner; the online series was described by Fruzsina Eördögh of ReadWrite as "essentially the YouTube equivalent of America's Funniest Home Videos."{{cite web|last=Eördögh|first=Fruzsina|url=http://readwrite.com/2012/12/06/web-celebrity-toby-turner-fired-from-own-show-has-youtube-gone-corporate|title=Web Celebrity Toby Turner Fired From His Own Show: Has YouTube Gone Corporate?|publisher=ReadWrite|date=December 6, 2012|access-date=April 2, 2015}} In 2011, DeFranco launched ForHumanPeoples, a merchandise line.{{cite web|last=Gutelle|first=Sam|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/10/09/philip-defranco-for-human-peoples-channel/|title=Philip Defranco Debuts ForHumanPeoples Channel To Showcase Cool Stuff|work=Tubefilter|date=October 9, 2013|access-date=October 30, 2013}} In October 2013, as part of his network, DeFranco launched an accompanying ForHumanPeoples YouTube channel, based on the clothing and merchandise line.

In October 2008, DeFranco co-starred with Jessica Rose and Kevin Wu in Hooking Up, written and directed by Woody Tondorf as a promo for HBOLabs (the online arm of HBO). Hooking Up is a scripted 10-episode web series set at a fictional university where the students spend most of their time emailing and using Facebook, but still manage to miscommunicate.{{cite web|last=Hustvedt|first=Marc|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2008/09/08/hbos-latest-experiment-hooking-up-youtube-stars-to-make-a-web-series/|title=HBO's Latest Experiment: 'Hooking Up' YouTube Stars To Make A Web Series|date=September 8, 2008|work=Tubefilter|access-date=March 5, 2017|language=en-US}}{{cite web |last=Wallenstein|first=Andrew|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN0838976020080908 |title=HBO offshoot launches Web video series |website=Reuters|date=September 8, 2008|access-date=September 27, 2008}} Guest appearances on Hooking Up were made by Kevin Nalty, Michael Buckley, and other popular Internet celebrities.{{cite web|last=Learmonth|first=Michael|url=http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/9/looking-for-online-hit-hbo-tries-a-bunch-of-youtube-cewebrities |title=Looking For An Online Hit, HBO Tries A Bunch Of YouTube Cewebrities |publisher=Silicon Alley Insider|date=September 8, 2008|access-date=September 27, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912233609/http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/9/looking-for-online-hit-hbo-tries-a-bunch-of-youtube-cewebrities|archive-date=September 12, 2008 }}

By the show's second day on YouTube, it had received more than 450,000 views.{{cite web|url=https://gigaom.com/2008/09/24/ntv-rerun-what-constitutes-an-online-hit/|title=NTV Rerun: What Constitutes an Online Hit?|publisher=GigaOM|date=September 24, 2008|access-date=January 22, 2015|archive-date=January 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123025507/https://gigaom.com/2008/09/24/ntv-rerun-what-constitutes-an-online-hit/|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/webscout/2008/10/hooking-up.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502144131/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/webscout/2008/10/hooking-up.html|archive-date=May 2, 2009|title=Hooking Up: When YouTube stars get all cleaned up?|last=Russo|first=Maria|date=October 3, 2008|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=June 4, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Bobbie Johnson of The Guardian said that many Web surfers have "scoffed at what they see as a cynical attempt to cash in."{{cite news |first=Bobbie |last=Johnson |title=The rise and rise of the YouTube generation, and how adults can help |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2008/oct/06/youtube.youngpeople |work=The Guardian |date=October 6, 2008 |access-date=October 8, 2008 | location=London}}

{{Main|SourceFed}}

In January 2012, DeFranco launched SourceFed, which at the time was produced by James Haffner.{{cite news|last=Newton|first=Casey|url=http://blog.sfgate.com/techchron/2012/02/06/youtubes-phil-defranco-building-an-empire/|title=YouTube's Phil DeFranco building an empire|publisher=San Francisco Gate|work=The Technology Chronicles|date=February 6, 2012|access-date=May 24, 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/philip-defranco-hit-youtube-sourcefed/|title=Philip DeFranco's latest YouTube venture is a hit|work=Daily Dot|date=January 30, 2012|access-date=May 24, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Eördögh|first=Fruzsina|url=http://readwrite.com/2012/08/02/youtube-premium-channel-sourcefed-racks-up-50-000-subscribers#awesm=~ob6nsElJ0rYePB|title=YouTube Premium Channel SourceFed Racks Up 500,000 Subscribers|publisher=Readwrite|date=August 2, 2012|access-date=July 9, 2013}} This came around the same time in which DeFranco signed with Revision3. While the channel was hosted by other online personalities, DeFranco occasionally appeared on the channel. He also appeared alongside SourceFed co-hosts Elliott Morgan and Meg Turney, joining journalists at the Democratic and 2012 Republican National Conventions as part of YouTube's "Elections Hub" coverage.{{cite news|last=Perigard|first=Mark|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/20220824social_politics_youtube_launches_hub_dedicated_to_round-the_clock_campaign_coverage/|title=YouTube launches 'hub' dedicated to 'round-the clock campaign coverage|newspaper=Boston Herald|date=August 24, 2012|access-date=September 1, 2012}}{{cite news|last=Meredith|first=Leslie|url=https://www.foxnews.com/tech/youtube-launches-2012-elections-hub/|title=YouTube launches 2012 elections hub|publisher=Fox News|date=August 23, 2012|access-date=September 1, 2012}} At the 3rd Streamy Awards, SourceFed was nominated for Best News and Culture Series, as well as Best Live Series and its #PDSLive 2012 Election Night Coverage program was nominated for Best Live Event. In May 2013, the spin-off SourceFed Nerd channel was launched.{{cite web|last=Cohen|first=Joshua|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/05/16/sourcefed-sourcefednerd/|title=SourceFed Launches Spinoff YouTube Channel, SourceFed Nerd|work=Tubefilter|date=May 16, 2013|access-date=December 25, 2013}}

File:YouTube Partner Meet-Up VidCon2010a.jpg

In July 2010, DeFranco attended the first VidCon event, where he was a speaker.{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Liz Shannon|url=https://gigaom.com/2010/07/05/vidcon-2010-promises-a-celebration-of-online-video/|title=VidCon 2010 Promises a Celebration of Online Video|publisher=Gigaom|date=July 5, 2010|access-date=April 2, 2020|archive-date=August 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812061305/https://gigaom.com/2010/07/05/vidcon-2010-promises-a-celebration-of-online-video/|url-status=dead}} Additionally, DeFranco has organized live shows and meetup events in locations such as Arizona, Los Angeles, and Toronto.{{cite web|last=Gutelle|first=Sam|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/08/07/phillyd-headed-to-phoenix-because-defranco-loves-dat-az/|title=Phil DeFranco Headed To Phoenix, Arizona For Live Show|publisher=Tubefilter|date=August 7, 2013|access-date=November 5, 2014}}{{cite web|last=Gutelle|first=Sam|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2014/10/01/philip-defranco-does-la-vimeo-on-demand/|title=Vimeo On Demand Offers Philip DeFranco's Los Angeles Live Show|publisher=Tubefilter|date=October 1, 2014|access-date=November 5, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Garwol|first=Deanna|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/life-arts/a-fan-meets-her-favorite-youtube-star-20141023|title=A fan meets her favorite YouTube star|newspaper=The Buffalo News|date=October 23, 2014|access-date=November 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924001228/http://www.buffalonews.com/life-arts/a-fan-meets-her-favorite-youtube-star-20141023|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=dead}}

In August 2012, DeFranco hosted the 25th anniversary of Discovery Channel's Shark Week.{{cite magazine|last=Holbrook|first=Damian|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Phil-DeFranco-Shark-Week-1052006.aspx|title=Phil DeFranco Bites Into Shark Week|magazine=TV Guide|date=August 16, 2012|access-date=September 1, 2012}}{{cite news |url = https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-guide/pay-tv-thursday-december-6-20121203-2aqyv.html |title = Pay TV: Thursday, December 6 |last = Newsome |first = Brad |date = December 6, 2012 | newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald | access-date = December 16, 2012}} In February 2013, DeFranco was a featured as a guest judge on the second season of Internet Icon.{{cite web|last=Lanning|first=Carly|url=http://newmediarockstars.com/2013/02/ryan-higa-talks-internet-icon-season-two-and-being-3-most-subscribed-on-youtube-interview/|title=Ryan Higa On 'Internet Icon' Season Two and Being YouTube's #3 Most Subscribed [Interview] |magazine=New Media Rockstars|date=February 12, 2013|access-date=March 5, 2013}} In November, DeFranco was a special guest in a live pre-show simulcast for the Doctor Who 50th anniversary from YouTube Space LA.{{cite magazine|last=Spangler|first=Todd|url=https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/bbc-america-slates-doctor-who-youtube-live-simulcast-to-promote-50th-anniversary-show-1200855484/|title=BBC America Slates 'Doctor Who' YouTube Live Simulcast to Promote 50th Anniversary Show|magazine=Variety|date=November 19, 2013|access-date=December 2, 2013}}

In February 2012, DeFranco stated he paid himself $100,000 a year, and reinvests the rest back into his company.{{cite web|last=Zeplin|first=Philip|url=http://novelconcept.org/how-much-money-does-youtubers-make/NovelConcept|title=How much money does YouTubers make?|publisher=Novel Concept|date=July 2, 2013|access-date=January 7, 2014}} In May, DeFranco's assets, including The Philip DeFranco Show and SourceFed, were acquired by Revision3, which itself was a subsidiary of Discovery Digital Networks.{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/discoverys-revision3-snaps-up-phil-defrancos-youtube-network-1200489614/|title=Discovery's Revision3 Snaps Up Phil DeFranco's YouTube Network|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=May 30, 2013|magazine=Variety|access-date=January 9, 2014}}{{cite web|last=Shaw|first=Lucas|url=https://www.thewrap.com/media/article/phil-defranco-was-going-give-youtube-then-google-gave-him-money-107551|title=Phil DeFranco Was Ready to Give Up on YouTube – Until Google Gave Him Money|website=TheWrap|date=July 31, 2013|access-date=October 23, 2013|archive-date=September 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906021730/http://www.thewrap.com/media/article/phil-defranco-was-going-give-youtube-then-google-gave-him-money-107551|url-status=dead}} Upon the acquisition, DeFranco became added as an exec of Revision3, the Senior VP of a new Revision3 subsidiary, Phil DeFranco Networks and Merchandise.{{cite web|last=Gutelle|first=Sam|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/05/30/revision3-philip-defranco-creative/|title=Revision3 Acquires Philip DeFranco's Assets, Adds DeFranco As Exec|publisher=Tubefilter|date=May 30, 2013|access-date=June 13, 2013}}{{cite news|last=Millar|first=DiAngelea|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2013-may-30-la-fi-ct-discovery-defranco-20130530-story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531210022/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/may/30/business/la-fi-ct-discovery-defranco-20130530|url-status=live|archive-date=May 31, 2013|title=Philip DeFranco goes from Web host to network exec|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 30, 2013|access-date=June 13, 2013}}

DeFranco aspired to have launched channels within his network by the end of 2013, though due to "the logistical complications of joining Discovery, adding staff and strategizing the future," those plans did not materialize. DeFranco later planned 2014 to be the year that he would begin launching new channels. These plans once again fell through, but in 2015, DeFranco was involved in the launching of Super Panic Frenzy, a gaming network, including a YouTube channel and a Twitch live-stream show.{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Molly|url=http://www.geekwire.com/2015/amazons-twitch-adding-discoverys-super-panic-frenzy-gaming-platform-monday/|title=Amazon's Twitch adding Discovery's 'Super Panic Frenzy' gaming platform Monday|work=GeekWire|date=March 20, 2015|access-date=April 5, 2015}}{{cite web|last=Brouwer|first=Bree|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2015/03/16/discovery-digital-networks-super-panic-frenzy-defranco-suptic-scully/|title=Discovery Debuts Gaming Network Super Panic Frenzy, Hosts Launch Giveaway|publisher=Tubefilter|date=March 16, 2015|access-date=April 5, 2015}}

Since regaining control over his properties from the Discovery Network in May 2017, DeFranco has been working towards broadening his content and reach. He began work on Rogue Rocket and would launch the news network on April 22, 2019.{{cite AV media|last=DeFranco|first=Philip|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCz_r2RVs2w|title=Meet Deborah Sue Culwell. She's a Monster. Britney Spears, & Explaining 996 Censorship & Protests|work=The Philip DeFranco Show|publisher=YouTube|quote=As some of you already saw because I snuck it into yesterday's description, our news website roguerocket.com has now officially launched.|date=April 23, 2019|access-date=April 1, 2020}} The network's launch was accompanied by a website. A YouTube channel for the network, produced by Amanda Morones and featuring news story breakdowns launched in July; these breakdowns are presented in longer formats (such as 10- to 30-minute mini-documentaries) than those seen on The Philip DeFranco Show.{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Geoff|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/07/01/philip-defranco-new-channel-rogue-rocket/|title=YouTube Vet Philip DeFranco Hits Play On 'Rogue Rocket' Channel With New Correspondents, Deeper Dives|work=Tubefilter|date=July 1, 2019|access-date=April 1, 2020}} Instead of being hosted by DeFranco, the channel features an on-camera cast of correspondents; the first of these correspondents was Maria Sosyan. In addition to the website and YouTube channel, the Rogue Rocket network also comprised a podcast named A Conversation With, in which DeFranco hosts and interviews a subject.{{cite web|last=Dodgson|first=Lindsay|url=https://www.insider.com/what-youtubers-looked-like-first-video-vs-now-2019-10|title=Then and Now: How 30 of the world's most famous YouTubers have changed since their first videos|work=Insider|date=October 24, 2019|access-date=April 1, 2020}}

DeFranco launched Beautiful Bastard in February 2019, a line of hair care named after his catchphrase from the introductions of his news show.{{cite web|last=Hale|first=James|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/02/11/philip-defranco-beautiful-bastard-youtube-hair-care/|title=Philip DeFranco Launches Hair Care Line 'Beautiful Bastard,' Is On Track To Sell Out Today|work=Tubefilter|date=February 11, 2019|access-date=April 1, 2020}} In June 2020, DeFranco signed with Semaphore Licensing Solutions to "seek out prospective manufacturing and retailer partners to bring DeFranco-branded products to market".{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Geoff|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2020/06/23/philip-defranco-semaphore-licensing-opportunities/|title=Philip DeFranco Signs With Semaphore To Seek Out Licensing Opportunities|work=Tubefilter|date=June 23, 2020|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}

In November 2021, DeFranco was announced as the chief creator officer for Fourthwall, a startup designed to help content creators build their own branded websites.{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Geoff|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2021/11/18/fourthwall-raises-17-million-hires-phil-defranco/|title=Creator Website-Building Startup 'Fourthwall' Raises $17 Million, Taps Phil DeFranco For CCO|work=Tubefilter|date=November 18, 2021|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}

File:Philip DeFranco (14531838135) (cropped).jpg

Due to joining YouTube in 2006 and soon gaining a sizable audience on the website, DeFranco has been cited as a pioneer of both YouTube and new media, in general. Lucas Shaw of TheWrap described DeFranco as "one of the first video bloggers to find success on YouTube, and has since built", as well as having an, "entrepreneurial spirit and understanding of YouTube".{{cite web|last=Shaw|first=Lucas|url=https://www.thewrap.com/exclusive-phil-defranco-launch-first-new-channel-discovery/|title=YouTube Pioneer Phil DeFranco to Launch First New Channel for Discovery (Exclusive)|website=TheWrap|date=October 10, 2013|access-date=April 2, 2015}} DeFranco was described by The Washington Post as part of the first generation of YouTube's creators, with the publication writing, "there are the originals, the older ones who became famous on YouTube when the only sort of Internet fame that existed was random viral stardom: Phil DeFranco, Jenna Marbles and Hannah Hart, for instance."{{cite news|last=Ohlheiser|first=Abby|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2018/06/25/they-became-famous-youtubers-a-new-generation-of-kids-wants-to-take-their-place/|title=YouTube is the new way to get famous. At VidCon, the tweens want to be next in line.|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=April 2, 2020}}

The Los Angeles Times has described DeFranco as, "the Walter Cronkite for the YouTube generation who generates hundreds of headlines in under 10 minutes".{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-fi-philip-defranco-show-youtube-pictures-photogallery.html|title=Behind the scenes at YouTube's "The Philip DeFranco Show"|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 3, 2015}} Sarah Kessler of Fast Company has referred to DeFranco as his generation's "Jon Stewart, if not Rupert Murdoch and News Corp".{{cite magazine|last=Kessler|first=Sarah|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/3033554/inside-youtubes-fame-factory|title=Inside YouTube's Fame Factory|magazine=Fast Company|date=August 4, 2014|access-date=April 3, 2015}} HuffPost has also likened DeFranco to Stewart, as well as Stephen Colbert and Bill Maher, commending DeFranco's ability to balance "important, controversial, and potentially dry topics" with pop culture stories.

David Cornell of The Inquisitr News wrote that DeFranco is "one of the leading sources of news" on YouTube and one of the platform's success stories.{{cite news|last=Cornell|first=David|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/910104/youtube-proposal-philip-defranco-pops-the-question-video/#6qhcXw3uBSgkmXjc.99|title=YouTube Proposal: Philip DeFranco Pops The Question [Video]|work=The Inquisitr News|date=August 18, 2013|access-date=April 2, 2015}} Julia Alexander of The Verge has similarly described DeFranco as "one of the most notable voices on the site," while the publication's Lizzie Plaugic described DeFranco's content as being more akin to that of a gossip or tabloid outlet. Plaugic wrote "the biggest differentiators of gossip channels are the hosts. Philip DeFranco tries to position himself as an objective, buttoned-up talk show host, even though his eponymous show is all about his take on the biggest names in YouTube drama."

DeFranco's ventures in creating an online media network have also been noted. Alex Iansiti of Huffington Post (now HuffPost) noted, "The Philip DeFranco Show is a great example of a media company to sprout out of YouTube".{{cite news|last=Iansiti|first=Alex|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/alex-iansiti/the-internet-ate-my-newsp_b_6773380.html|title=The Internet Ate My Newspaper|work=Huffington Post|date=February 28, 2015|access-date=April 3, 2015}} Variety similarly expressed that DeFranco has "built upon a cult following and turned his YouTube show into a bonafide media empire." By 2020, DeFranco's impact on the platform was well-established, with Lindsay Dodgson of Business Insider writing that he "is considered YouTube royalty". A late 2024 study by the Pew Research Center found that around 21% of Americans regularly get their news from "news influencers". A follow-up by Pew Research found no consensus regarding who came to mind when hearing the term "news influencer", though DeFranco was named by 3% of respondents, more than any other individual.{{cite web|last1=Tomasik|first1=Emily|last2=Wang|first2=Luxuan|last3=Liedke|first3=Jacob|last4=Stocking|first4=Galen|last5=Lipka|first5=Michael|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/02/19/no-consensus-on-who-comes-to-mind-when-americans-are-asked-to-name-a-news-influencer/|title=No consensus on who comes to mind when Americans are asked to name a news influencer|publisher=Pew Research Center|date=February 19, 2025|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}

Politically, DeFranco has described himself as "fiscally conservative, socially liberal, for the most part."{{cite AV media|last=DeFranco|first=Philip|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehdrOyY6Yqw|title=Giving Back vs. Keeping Mine|publisher=YouTube|work=The Vloggity|date=January 21, 2015|access-date=January 22, 2015}} He has expressed support for LGBT rights, including gay marriage and transgender rights, but he holds conservative views on company taxation.{{cite AV media|title=On Political Views, Trump, and Free Speech (Pt. 2) {{!}} Philip DeFranco {{!}} YOUTUBERS {{!}} Rubin Report|work=The Rubin Report|via=YouTube| date=September 7, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VBgaSD4SbU|language=en|access-date=July 16, 2021}} While on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, DeFranco stated that prior to moving to California he was "ultra-liberal".{{cite web|last=Epifani|first=Mike|date=March 19, 2017|title=You can't be socially progressive and economically conservative|url=https://qz.com/936052/you-cant-be-socially-progressive-and-economically-conservative/|access-date=April 1, 2020|work=Quartz}} Starting a business there caused him to lean more center. He voted for Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson in the 2012 United States presidential election,{{cite web|last=Wampfler|first=Josiah|date=October 1, 2012|title=Philip DeFranco Comes out In Support of Gary Johnson|url=http://www.dailypaul.com/256966/philip-defranco-comes-out-in-support-of-gary-johnson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004042800/http://www.dailypaul.com/256966/philip-defranco-comes-out-in-support-of-gary-johnson|archive-date=October 4, 2012|publisher=Daily Paul}} and declined to state who voted for in the 2016 election, though did share he did not vote "for either of the main two" candidates. In an interview on The Rubin Report in 2017, DeFranco clarified that he no longer labels himself a libertarian. He further stated that the closest description of him that he had seen was "moderate free speech liberal". DeFranco has criticized the perceived authoritarian nature as well as Twitter activity of current U.S. president Donald Trump during Trump's first term.

DeFranco has noted he likes to verify the news he covers and comments on, stating "I have to see several news sources that I trust." On this, Polygon has stated that DeFranco expressed paranoia relating to the need to ensure that stories are completely correct. DeFranco also likes to incorporate a "human side to every story," and has been known to specifically highlight optimistic or feel-good stories to counter the typical grittiness of a news cycle. When covering shootings, DeFranco only reports on known facts at the time and has a policy to not use the perpetrator's name or image.{{cite web|last=Chavez|first=Paij|url=https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2019/08/13/chavez-media-literacy-is-crucial-for-americas-future/|title=Chavez: Media Literacy is Crucial for America's Future|work=Daily Utah Chronicle|date=August 13, 2019|access-date=April 2, 2020}}

Following PewDiePie's December 2019 announcement that he would be taking a break from posting on YouTube, CNN published an article about PewDiePie, focusing on his past controversies; DeFranco cited this CNN article when he addressed what he referred to as a "crisis of credibility problem" for mainstream media outlets.{{cite web|last=Tenbarge|first=Kat|url=https://www.insider.com/pewdiepie-philip-defranco-call-out-mainstream-media-2019-12|title=PewDiePie and other YouTubers are angry at the mainstream media and it's just part of a deepening culture clash|work=Insider|date=December 17, 2019|access-date=April 1, 2020}}

Beginning in 2016, DeFranco became notably critical of YouTube's advertising policies, as they would begin to result in widespread demonetization–a term describing an incident in which something triggered YouTube's system to remove advertisements from a video–for creators across the platform.{{cite web|last=Gutelle|first=Sam|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2016/09/07/youtube-demonetization-controversy/|title=Here's What We Can Learn From The Reactions To YouTube's Demonetization Controversy|work=Tubefilter|date=September 7, 2016|access-date=April 1, 2010}}{{cite web|last=Hamedy|first=Saba|url=https://mashable.com/2016/09/01/youtube-advertiser-friendly-guidelines-phil-de-franco-youtube-is-over-party-backlash/|title=Everything you need to know about the Phil DeFranco #YouTubeIsOverParty drama|work=Mashable|date=September 1, 2016|access-date=April 2, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Alexander|first=Julia|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/5/18287318/youtube-logan-paul-pewdiepie-demonetization-adpocalypse-premium-influencers-creators|title=The golden age of YouTube is over|work=The Verge|date=April 5, 2019|access-date=April 1, 2020}} DeFranco's criticism of YouTube regarding this topic would continue in the following years.{{cite web|last=Alexander|first=Julia|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/4/21164553/youtube-coronavirus-demonetization-sensitive-subjects-advertising-guidelines-revenue|title=YouTube is demonetizing videos about coronavirus, and creators are mad|work=The Verge|date=March 4, 2020|access-date=April 2, 2020}}

Dating as far back as 2008, DeFranco has been frequently cited as pondering a potential end to his eponymous news series or an exit from the platform altogether.{{cite web|last=Powers|first=Nicole|url=https://www.suicidegirls.com/girls/nicole_powers/blog/2680080/philip-defranco-is-sxephil/|title=Philip DeFranco is sxephil|publisher=SuicideGirls|date=December 31, 2008|access-date=April 1, 2020}}{{cite AV media|last=DeFranco|first=Philip|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMBAkMgI3WE|title=The Last PDS and How we killed 55.8 Black people in 1787|work=The Philip DeFranco Show|publisher=YouTube|quote=This is the final Philip DeFranco Show. It's weird to say that and actually mean it.|date=April 22, 2010|access-date=April 1, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Gutelle|first=Sam|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2013/12/19/philip-defranco-show-2014-end/|title=2014 May Be The Final Year Of 'The Philip DeFranco Show'|work=Tubefilter|date=December 19, 2013|access-date=April 1, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Gutelle|first=Sam|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2017/06/06/philip-defranco-next-show-off-youtube/|title=Philip DeFranco Calls Out What He Sees As YouTube's Ad Double Standard, Vows To Take Next Show Elsewhere|work=Tubefilter|date=June 6, 2017|access-date=April 1, 2020}} DeFranco's reasons for this have varied from a personal want to "not overrun [his] time" to being frustrated with the platform's unstable revenue source. In April 2018, DeFranco again expressed frustrations with the YouTube platform and detailed his progress on developing a network; he hired a six-person research and investigative team, curated hosts for short- and long-form content, and tested a morning podcast, among other things in preparation for the network's launch.{{cite web|last=Weiss|first=Geoff|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2018/04/17/philip-defranco-youtube-viewership-suppression/|title=Citing Viewership Suppression, Philip DeFranco Again Says New Shows Won't Be Distributed YouTube-First|work=Tubefilter|date=April 17, 2018|access-date=April 1, 2020}} Months later while at VidCon, he stated that he saw himself walking from hosting the PDS within three years, saying "I don't know how to do the show I'm doing now in three years without phoning it in." He also added that he would remain online in some capacity, expressing, "in some way, I will always want to make a show and have that interaction, and I think that will evolve."{{cite web|last=Alexander|first=Julia|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/22/17492964/philip-defranco-show-youtube-vidcon-future|title=Philip DeFranco says his YouTube show may change in the next 3 years|work=Polygon|date=June 22, 2018|access-date=April 1, 2020}}

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DeFranco has polycystic kidney disease which he inherited from his father and grandfather. He has a younger sister named Sabrina.{{cite web |last=DeFranco |first=Philip |url=http://phillyd.tv/post/17844863350/my-10-yr-old-sis-sabrina-now-has-an-iphone-and-my |title=my 10 yr old sis sabrina now has an iphone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801075546/http://phillyd.tv/post/17844863350/my-10-yr-old-sis-sabrina-now-has-an-iphone-and-my |archive-date=August 1, 2012 |access-date=July 12, 2020 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

DeFranco is married to his wife, media literacy and mental health advocate Lindsay Jordan DeFranco (née Doty). DeFranco proposed to Doty, then his longtime girlfriend, on August 16, 2013, at his "DeFranco Loves Dat AZ" show in Tempe, Arizona.{{cite web|last=Gutelle|first=Sam|url=http://www.tubefilter.com/2013/08/19/philip-defranco-linz-loves-proposal/|title=Philip DeFranco Proposed To His Girlfriend In Front Of 600 Fans|publisher=Tubefilter|date=August 19, 2013|access-date=September 2, 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/20/philip-defranco_n_3786096.html|title=Philip DeFranco, YouTube Personality, Proposes To Girlfriend During 'DeFranco Does Arizona' Show (Video)|work=Huffington Post|date=August 20, 2013|access-date=April 2, 2015}} Their first son, named Philip James "Trey" DeFranco III, was born in 2014.{{cite tweet|user=PhillyD|number=458704481203400708|date=April 22, 2014|title=Welcome to the world 8 lbs 11 oz #BabyDeFranco. We're going to call him TREY bc he is Philip DeFranco III. :)|access-date=April 23, 2014}} The couple married on March 7, 2015, and their wedding was captured on social media.{{cite news|last=Votta|first=Rae|url=http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/phil-defranco-lindsay-doty-wedding/|title=YouTube royalty Phil DeFranco and Lindsay Doty tie the knot|work=The Daily Dot|date=March 10, 2015|access-date=April 5, 2015}}{{cite magazine|last=Klima|first=Jeff|url=http://newmediarockstars.com/2015/03/philip-defranco-wedding-video-is-on-youtube/|title=Philip DeFranco Wedding Video Is On YouTube|magazine=New Media Rockstars|date=March 25, 2015|access-date=April 2, 2015}} Their second son, Carter William DeFranco, was born in 2017.{{cite tweet|user=LinzDeFranco|number=906102545587642368|date=September 8, 2017|title=Carter William DeFranco. Born at 12:08am on 09/08/17 . 7lbs 11oz. 23inches.|access-date=September 8, 2017}} In 2019, Lindsay launched Not So Fast, a media literacy campaign. The couple moved into their Encino home in late 2019 after previously living in San Fernando and Sherman Oaks.{{cite web|last=McClain|first=James|url=https://variety.com/2019/dirt/entertainers/youtubes-philip-defranco-buys-encino-tennis-court-estate-1203423093/|title=YouTube's Philip DeFranco Buys Encino Tennis Court Estate|work=Variety|date=December 3, 2019|access-date=April 2, 2020}} In 2024, they moved again, relocating to Georgia.{{Cite Instagram |user=phillydefranco|postid=C9zvu4-ul6q |date=July 24, 2024 |title=Sorry about the 4th pic, Mom. Just proud of the last 2-3 years of progress. 🤣 So LIFE UPDATE: I recently moved back to Georgia |access-date=March 30, 2025}}

In April 2020, DeFranco posted on Twitter, expressing feelings of "heavier and heavier depression", and added he would be scrapping the episode of his eponymous show he was working on and taking a short break from YouTube.{{cite web|last=Dodgson|first=Lindsay|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/philip-defranco-opens-up-about-depression-taking-youtube-break-2020-4|title=The biggest YouTubers are sending messages of support after Philip DeFranco opened up about struggling with 'heavy depression' over the past few weeks|work=Business Insider|date=April 29, 2020|accessdate=March 30, 2025}}

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