simplicissimus
Simplicissimus launched on YouTube in 2015 with video essays covering politics, society, and media. The channel addresses topics ranging from politics and science to digital culture and social controversies. Initial recognition came through videos critiquing media platforms such as "Made My Day." Current videos regularly reach over one million viewers.
Beyond the main channel, the team operates additional formats including "2 Bored Guys," the English-language channel "Fern" (in collaboration with Dutch YouTuber Hoog), and the podcast "Unfassbar." The operation has become significantly professionalized, employing over 60 staff members according to the channel, with some based in an Amsterdam office. Content leadership includes founders as well as Creative Director Paul Lühnsdorf and Executive Producer Christian Kiesling.
Jonas and David are the founders of Simplicissimus. Limited public information is available about them beyond their residence in Amsterdam, where they launched their channels while studying. The founders maintain deliberate anonymity—their real names, identities, and facial appearances are not publicly known. Their working methods and public presentation are carefully curated, with personal information remaining limited.
From 2019 to 2022, Simplicissimus was part of the public broadcasting network Funk before leaving to operate independently. At the beginning of 2025, private equity firm Electrify Video Partners acquired a majority stake in Simplicissimus. Electrify Video Partners is an investment vehicle owned by Justin Reizes, Stephan Lobmeyr, Owen Maher and Ian Shepherd that specialises in the creator economy, particularly YouTube. Well-known channels in its portfolio include Veritasium, Astrum, simple history and Simplicissimus
Electrify acquires majority stakes in these media projects in order to improve operational business and results through increased efficiency and diversification, but claims that it does not exert any editorial or content influence. Nevertheless, the entry of private equity firms is viewed critically by fans and observers of the channels, as the increased pressure to succeed and monetise can have an impact on content.
Key Facts
| Social Media Accounts | ||||||
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| Platform | User Name | User Handle | Followers | Following | Likes | Views |
 | UNFASSBAR – ein Simplicissimus Podcast | @unfassbar | 19,100 | 792,817 | ||
| Simplicissimus | @Simplicissimus | 2,220,000 | 488,806,217 | ||
| fern | @fern-tv | 3,930,000 | 345,049,260 | ||
| 2 Bored Guys | @2boredguysofficial | 744,000 | 101,465,437 | ||
 | Simplicissimus | @simlicissimusyt | 212,355 | 75 | ||
| fern | @fern.tv | 4,447 | 2 | ||
 | Simplicissimus | @simplicissimus | 188,800 | 40 | 4,300,000 | |
| fern | @fern.tv_ | |||||
| Data Unavailable | ownership data is not publicly available, company/channel denies the release of information or does not respond, no public record exists |
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| Language | German, English |
| Founding Year | 2015 The founders of Simplicissimus, Jonas and David, posted the first video on the channel "2 Bored Guys" in 2015. Simplicissimus was launched in 2016. In 2020, the channel Fern launched as a collaboration with Dutch video essayist Hoog. In 2025, they established UNFASSBAR, a podcast format for the German-speaking market. |
Ownership
| Individual Owner | |
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| Group / Individual Owner |
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Facts
| Topics Covered / Focus Areas | The main Simplicissimus channel offers "critically researched" video essays on politics, society, science, and media, often featuring animations and interviews. Fern is the international channel with English-language essays addressing complex global topics and events in visually sophisticated ways. Both channels employ in-depth analysis, with some content adapted between them. Unfassbar is the Simplicissimus podcast covering topics from politics and society with elaborate production and storytelling. 2 Bored Guys is a secondary channel discussing German politics and pop culture as video essays, often incorporating memes and entertainment elements. The formats are characterized by research-based content combined with experimental, modern visual presentation and storytelling, blending journalism with engaging and sophisticated presentation. |
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| Views / Values / Political Stances | The creators of Simplicissimus, "Jonas" and "David," have repeatedly expressed moderately left-wing and progressive views. On their main channels, neutral presentation of educational content takes priority. However, many of their video essays also contain investigative content and address issues with critical questioning. For example, they critique Donald Trump's crypto venture "World Liberty Coin" as "dirty business" and "legal corruption," and critically question the role of police in the death of Oury Jalloh. In the past, they have produced videos about politics and the content of the AfD, for which they reportedly received threats from AfD circles according to their own statements. On their secondary channel "2 Bored Guys," they regularly comment on developments in German politics, particularly through a recurring title format "[...] is such a fever dream." Topics have included Friedrich Merz's connections to Blackrock, tax waste in public construction, and power concentration around Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. |
| Mode of Delivery | Simplicissimus is known for its high-quality produced explainer videos and short documentaries. According to their own statements, all videos are narrated by creators "Jonas" and "David" and are mostly created using the 3D animation software Blender, which gives the channel distinctive visual recognition. Fern follows a similar thematic approach and style, with videos produced in English for the English-language market. UNFASSBAR centers on the podcast format, with content designed for longer, audio-focused consumption. The style of "2 Bored Guys" differs notably. The videos address German politics and pop culture, extensively incorporating memes, youth language, and video clips. The creators take clear positions on political topics—for example, criticizing the AfD and the federal government under Friedrich Merz. Despite their high profile, little is known about Jonas and David in public, except for their voices. Nevertheless, Jonas has appeared in several online interviews, however still disguised, in recent years, in which they also provide insights into the reasons for their anonymity. According to their own statements, Simplicissimus works with a team of 32 people to produce high-quality content across all its channels, supplemented by a pool of freelancers. |
| Reputation | Simplicissimus has a strong reputation and is frequently cited as an example of innovative online journalism that combines rigorous research with compelling storytelling and presentation. However, in 2025, community criticism emerged regarding the deal with private equity fund "Electrify Video Partners." Through the acquisition of more than 50%, the fund can potentially influence Simplicissimus's content. This raised concerns, particularly since in 2022 Simplicissimus had left the public broadcasting network Funk specifically to gain greater independence and freedom in editorial decision-making. |
| Target Audience | According to their own statements, Simplicissimus's audience is 86% male and 75% aged between 18 and 34 years. Only 2% of views come from people under 18. This can be attributed to the somewhat demanding topic selection, which appeals to an education-oriented and globally politically engaged target audience. |
| Part of Network or Campaign | In January 2025, Simplicissimus announced that it (including its brands Fern and UNFASSBAR) had become a "partner" of Electrify Video Partners, a private equity fund specializing in YouTube channels. The exact nature of these "investments" and how Electrify supports or restricts web video producers is not publicly disclosed. According to their website, Electrify acquires 50-80% of companies as part of a "partnership." In such cases, Electrify would potentially have sufficient control to influence content decisions. Other channels owned by or with stakes in Electrify include Veritasium, Mentour Pilot, and Simple History, among others. As a private equity fund, Electrify Video Partners manages private capital for other investors. The specific investors are not publicly disclosed. Electrify raised $50 million during its seed financing round. A further investment by the fund Capital D of $85 million is documented. |
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| Cross-Posting & Friends | Simplicissimus operates the channel "Fern" in collaboration with Dutch creator "Hoog." Apart from this, collaborations are rare. All videos are narrated by the creators themselves. |
| Endorsements & Recognitions | Simplicissimus was a member of the Funk network of ARD and ZDF from 2019 to 2022. The creators justified their departure from the network by stating they wanted greater freedom in editorial decision-making and topic selection. |
| Business Model | Simplicissimus, its brands and secondary channels are financed through advertising revenue, product placements, affiliate links, and merchandise. Based on the investment by private equity fund Electrify Video Partners, it can be assumed that the channel's founders received a single-digit million amount (between approximately EUR 1-9 million) for the sale of their stakes. |
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| Revenue | Missing Data |