Like everything, it starts with an organic foundation then slowly gets absorbed by capitalism. They're now brand reps more than anything. Subscribe to curiositystream, BlueApron, and watch your favorite streamer take an extended, nonchalant sip from their favorite [brand] soda, replete with logo mugging the camera lens.
Idk, I think a lot of people get started with shallow analysis. I don't know if these channels specifically are very effective at moving people toward deeper analysis; the few I do watch, I treat more as entertainment than education personally. But I don't think that's a sufficient justification for dismissing media that never claimed to be academic in the first place.