Amol Rajan, who was the first Faithful murdered on this year's The Celebrity Traitors, has left his role at the BBC to launch a new venture featuring a YouTube channel and a paid membership club with fees reaching £999.
The journalist and broadcaster was one of more than a dozen famous faces to enter the Scottish castle to play the game of deception. The 43-year-old was murdered by the Traitors after being summoned in the middle of the night by Richard E. Grant and Maya Jama in their cloaks. He was joined by comedian James Acaster, and the pair had to convince the Traitors why they should join their ranks. Amol failed, while James was recruited.
New YouTube Channel and Podcast
Since leaving the castle, Amol has launched his own YouTube channel and online membership. He has begun releasing a podcast available on other platforms such as Spotify. His first video introduces his new career, with a subtitle in the image reading: "Why I left the BBC." In that video, he claims that "we are about to get 100 years of change in a single decade and that's scary. But maybe I can help."
His first original video on the channel is Amol, who continues to host BBC series University Challenge, giving The Alternative MacTaggart, a prominent annual lecture delivered at the Edinburgh TV Festival. His is titled 'Why Britain needs an 'insane bias to action'. This has since been followed up with a two-hour interview with former England manager Gareth Southgate, plus another half-hour Q&A featuring the ex-footballer. All posts include an invitation to join the 'inner circle'.
Membership Tiers and Pricing
To join, fans need to sign up through the website where Amol's 'club' is described as a 'great digital Narnia'. He has also penned an introduction to prospective members, saying: "Come on in, and join our club. It’s lovely, warm and fun in here, I promise. This is the home of my new world and, I very much hope, a part of yours too."
The message goes on to explain that the venture features the YouTube account as its main feature. It promises daily 'explainers' along with a twice-weekly show, mainly taking the form of interviews with guests that are "the most interesting, influential, smart and dynamic people on the planet." Potential members are also told: "Like all the best clubs, the more you give to this one, the more you’ll get."
Sign-up options range from free, which gets a weekly newsletter, to paid options on a monthly or yearly basis at either £5.99 a month or £47.88 for a year. A discounted £9.99 per year option is available only for students currently enrolled at a recognised school, college or university. Paid options include extras such as behind-the-scenes content, early access to some shows and exclusive episodes. Two higher tiers are also offered: one annual membership costs £299 a year and includes a ticket to a members event and a virtual meet and greet with Amol. A lifetime membership at £999 includes a meet and greet in person or a name in the credits on Amol's shows.
Public Reaction to Pricing
Some people have shared uncertainty over the prices. One posted on social media: "That's quite an ambitious pricing strategy. For that money I'd expect him to turn up in person, bring champagne, cook a three-course dinner, and host University Challenge in my living room." Another joked: "The first rule of Amol Rajan Club is no-one talks about paying to join Amol Rajan Club." Someone else replied: "Imagine buying so much Amol Rajan merch that paying £299 a year for a 30% discount makes financial sense." While one person noted: "Cristiano Ronaldo has been fined less than the cost of the middle tier subscription to Amol Rajan HQ."
The Celebrity Traitors continues Thursday at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
