hmmm...i think should be. but the starting stage is the most difficult. you need the money to finance the website. then it may takes a long time to have a steady flow of traffic. at that time, unless the website has other ways of earning money, i think it is difficult to endure. money out but no money in!
but later when you have managed to contact some companies or advertisers to advertise or sponsor the website, that is where the money comes in. and it can be huge amount. most websites which provide services to users for free survive or even make a profit from advertising campaigns.
but to get huge amount of traffic and advertisers....that is very difficult