Is James Pumphrey leaving Donut?

As the charismatic host of Donut Media’s popular Up to Speed series, James Pumphrey has become synonymous with the channel. However, recent developments raise the question of whether Pumphrey will leave Donut.

Donut Media, founded in 2015, quickly rose to prominence in the online automotive space, amassing millions of subscribers with its unique blend of humor, history, and horsepower. At the heart of this success was Pumphrey, whose infectious enthusiasm and encyclopedic knowledge of cars made him a fan favorite. From breaking down the history of iconic vehicles to explaining complex automotive concepts, his presence became a cornerstone of the Donut Media brand. That’s why Pumphrey’s vanishing from recent videos raised a red flag, especially considering Donut’s recent history.

Why has James Pumphrey vanished from Donut Media?

In November 2021, Donut Media was acquired by Recurrent Ventures, a digital media company. This acquisition marked a turning point for the channel, introducing corporate oversight to what had previously been a creator-driven enterprise. 

In a July 3, 2024 video, industry analyst Alanis King drew parallels between Donut’s situation and that of Hoonigan, another automotive channel that underwent significant changes after merging with a company backed by private equity. King highlighted how the involvement of investment firms often leads to shifts in content strategy and company culture, sometimes at odds with the creators’ original vision. In the case of Donut, fans began to notice how the channel started to publish more clickbait and shallow videos.

Donut took a severe blow on June 21, 2024, when long-time hosts Jeremiah Burton and Zach Jobe announced their departure to start their channel, BigTime. Burton and Jobe were two of the channel’s most cherished hosts, also working behind the scenes to turn Donut into the success it was. So, their leaving the company signals that the channel’s creative team is unhappy with investors shifting the direction of Donut’s content.

Amidst this turmoil, speculation has been rife about the future of James Pumphrey, arguably the face of Donut Media. Firstly, Pumphrey, the familiar face and voice that has guided viewers through countless automotive adventures, has been conspicuously absent from new videos. Eagle-eyed fans have also noticed that Pumphrey had unfollowed Donut Media on Instagram, a move that in today’s social media-driven world often signals a potential rift or departure.

While there is no official news about Pumphrey’s possible departure, his exit could trigger a domino effect, potentially inspiring other remaining hosts to seek opportunities elsewhere. This would leave Donut Media in a precarious position, struggling to maintain its identity and audience in an increasingly competitive automotive content landscape.

Whether Donut can adapt and evolve without its core creative team remains to be seen. For now, fans and industry watchers alike are left to wonder: Is this the end of an era for Donut Media, or can the channel shift gears and find a new path forward?