If you want to support the creators, then donating is pretty much the only option.
Every year YouTube pays the creators less and demonitizes more videos for no reason. Almost nothing from YouTube Premium is going to creators. You’re basically supporting YouTube and nobody else.
To be more precise: it is actually beneficial for big corporations if you pirate their media, as opposed to you having never been born. The sole act of you ‘consuming’ their media is positive for them, since you’ll almost definitely see their logos (advertising to you), and you may spread the word to people who may pay for it (advertising by you).
As you said, it’s all pretty much propaganda to brainwash us into trying to be ‘good citizens’ (obedient consumers).