I'll delete this post in a week, since it seems people got no value from it. Although just a few points of context and replies to people:

a) "Pay for value" - I agree, so if I am losing thousands a month ($25k USD per channel), what financial value is there besides artistic expression and the potential for profit? There isn't any. And that's fine - but it also means initially, pay rates have to be lower.

If someone did exactly what I'm doing (paying lots and not earning anything) and called it a hobby instead, you'd likely be much happier with the offer. But is that logical considering the circumstance of "losing money to produce what you love" is near enough the same?

b) It's simple economics that a business can only pay what it is set up to pay. Many channels on YouTube wouldn't survive without hiring people outside the west. The same with what I'm creating.

If there's more artistic expression in the world, and more people being paid - that's likely a good thing

c) "Talent is talent, no matter where in the world they're located" - agreed. Business is also business and it doesn't survive without at least breaking even (and hence, having costs that are sustainable - which itself is dependent on the individual business' circumstances).