This is how the ad revenue distribution is on youtube currently. 55% of the money made from watching ads before a video is spread to the content creators based on how many minutes people watch their videos. If someone has more people watching longer videos, then they will make more money.
This is how youtube red money will be distributed. The way ad revenue is distributed didn’t ruin small channels so why the fuck would the way youtube red revenue is split destroy small channels. The money is spread out the same between both youtubes. So if you want to support small channels, try and get more people to watch their videos or see if they have a patreon.