Twitch’s New Multi-Platform Streaming Update
Twitch recently announced at TwitchCon a significant update that allows creators to simultaneously stream on multiple platforms. Effective immediately, this feature enables streamers to diversify their audience without breaching any exclusivity agreements.
Originally, Twitch had prohibited multi-streaming to platforms similar to itself. However, with other platforms like YouTube and Kick attracting creators from Twitch with non-exclusive deals, this policy has been reversed.
In August, Twitch CEO Dan Clancy confirmed that they had given popular streamer Ninja permission to multistream. During this time, Clancy hinted at ongoing developments for the future. At TwitchCon 2023, CEO Dan Clancy officially announced the removal of all rules related to multi-streaming.
Twitch’s policy adjustment aligns with the rise of competing platforms like Kick, which has been securing agreements with notable Twitch streamers like xQc and Amouranth.
What does this update mean?
Essentially, it means that streamers can now broadcast simultaneously on different platforms such as YouTube and Kick while streaming on Twitch. This is particularly significant for those with substantial Twitch followings who are also attracted by YouTube or Kick’s better revenue splits.
Twitch’s Multiplatform streaming rules
To maintain quality standards, Twitch has imposed some guidelines for its simulcasting policy:
- Streamers must ensure that the quality of their Simulcast on Twitch matches or exceeds the experience on other platforms, including actively engaging with the Twitch community via chat.
- Streamers must refrain from sharing links or directing their Twitch community to other services during your Simulcast to preserve the value of the Twitch community and its role in user engagement.
- Streamers must avoid using third-party services that integrate activities from other platforms, like merging chat, during your Twitch Simulcast to maintain an inclusive experience for the Twitch community.
Twitch plans to introduce a tool in the future that allows streamers to indicate when they are simulcasting.
As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, Twitch’s latest update marks a significant step towards fostering a more interconnected and inclusive environment for content creators. With the promise of expanded audience reach and enhanced accessibility, this new feature is poised to redefine the way Twitch creators establish their presence in the ever-expanding digital sphere.
Kick Secures NICKMERCS with $10M Deal
Kick has been making significant strides in the streaming world with its high-profile acquisitions. In a recent development, prominent American streamer Nick ‘NICKMERCS’ Kolcheff has secured a one-year non-exclusive streaming deal with Kick, reportedly valued at $10,000,000.
This announcement comes only four months after Kick’s reported contract signing with xQc in June 2023, valued at $100 million.
Under the terms of this agreement, NICKMERCS will primarily stream on Kick but retains the flexibility to broadcast on other platforms. NICKMERCS’ decision to split his streaming time between Kick and Twitch marks a critical shift in his content strategy, further cementing Kick’s status as a significant player in the industry.
Twitch vs Kick
Having initially gained fame on Justin.tv and subsequently on Twitch, NICKMERCS has amassed a considerable following of over 6.7 million on the latter platform.
In 2020, NICKMERCS secured an exclusivity deal with Twitch. However, Twitch’s recent decision in June 2023 to reduce top creators’ subscription revenue share from 70% to 50% indicated a shift away from high payouts for its leading stars.
Despite Kick’s significantly smaller viewer base compared to Twitch, the platform offers creator-friendly terms such as allowing content creators to retain 95% of their subscription revenues.
With NICKMERCS’ move to Kick, the platform has asserted its position as a competitive force in the streaming landscape, demonstrating its ability to attract top-tier talent and expand its audience reach.
Twitch Cracks Down on Embed Viewers
Twitch recently unveiled its latest policy updates aimed at curbing the misuse of embedded streams. The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of TwitchCon, a major three-day event that drew thousands of fans and streamers to Las Vegas.
Twitch’s CEO, Dan Clancy, pointed out that some websites were utilizing embedded streams in ways that did not align with Twitch’s intended use.
“Twitch embeds are important for streamers and third-party websites to distribute Twitch content. However, we’ve seen a very small number of sites that use embeds in a way that was not intended,”
Dan Clancy – Twitch CEO
To combat this, Twitch announced the implementation of a new policy to prohibit autoplay for embedded streams that do not serve as a primary element of the page’s content.
Highlighting the significance of Twitch’s embeds for streamers and third-party websites, Clancy underscored the importance of preserving the intended purpose of these embedded streams.
He further clarified that sites not adhering to this policy would have their autoplay functionality disabled, with the policy set to take effect from the 1st of November.
The issue of misuse of embedded streams was initially brought to light by streamer Ludwig in 2021 when he accused the gaming website ‘Fextralife’ of unfairly inflating their viewer count by embedding Twitch streams on their platform.
This incident sparked further discussions on the subject by other prominent creators, such as Asmongold and Gothalion, highlighting the challenges faced by content creators regarding stream view manipulation.
