I think the main reason neither TUG nor YF really qualify as as Lolcows is, that they are at least somehow socially aware and don't really do anything interesting.
There is no real drama around them, they just make videos you've seen 1h bevore on another channel and provide some generic commentary,
They try to be an alternative news source or opposition to "access media" but all they really do is reading "access" media articles and rambling about them, thats almost less journalism than Tim Pool, it's basically opinionated screen reading.
They don't screech, they don't play the victim card, they stay in their designated spots, they boring AF.
(and they actually pay their bills and deliverer on their products, they may be grifters, but they are at least not scammers)
Ya Boi Zack is there somehow the exception, he is the only one who actually covers comic by going out there and buying and reviewing them.
When it comes to Nick and his growth:
Nicks Channel is very unfriendly for Newcomer.
His streams are 3h long, and most of them revolve around Vic and it's ongoing coverage.
If i were new, i had to watch ~10 month of daily 3h streams to catch up and understand what he is even talking about.
Being ISVW and being somehow involved and up to date on the whole thing has become sort of requirement for watching his channel.
Channels like YF are a lot easier to access. it's one short video about one topic, no real prior knowledge necessary
p.S.
Tug is ThatUmbrellaGuy, he has his own Thread here: