Twitch is a live streaming service. Users broadcast live, and people watch and interact with the broadcasters in real-time. It has become popular for all kinds of different streams including gaming, music, talk shows, and just, well, talking.
- Mainly a live gaming streamer
- Bought by Amazon in 2014
- Allows real time chat between broadcaster and viewer
It is more about the action than the final outcome. If you’re new to Twitch, check out twitchtv. We explain different digital culture and social media phenomena.
What Is Twitch, Exactly?
Launched as a gaming spinoff of Justin.tv in 2011, Twitch is a live streaming service that has since grown to include different categories of content like music, talk shows, art, and IRL streams.
Amazon acquired Twitch in 2014 for $970 million, and since then the service has diversified, with gaming still dominating. You can find a plethora of different streams any time of day.
Unlike YouTube, Twitch isn’t about creating and sharing edited clips, it’s more of a live interactive service.
How Does Twitch Work?
Twitch makes it incredibly easy to share content. Anyone can make a free account, and start broadcasting with just a camera or mic. Viewers can interact with broadcasters through live chats or join streams based on specific categories.
The experience includes:
- Live video of streamers
- A chat box where users can type and interact with other viewers
- Pages with streamers’ schedules, recent broadcasts, and more
Broadcasts are live and continue until the streamer ends it. Some are automatically saved as video-on-demands (VODs) after.
What Kind of Content Do People Watch on Twitch?
Video game content is the most popular and includes different types of esports and competitive gaming as well as other forms of entertainment such as watching streamers play through video games.
Other popular categories on Twitch include:
- Just Chatting
- Music
- Creative
- IRL
How Do Streamers Make Money on Twitch?
There are several ways streamers can make money, and many streamers use several methods. Subscriptions, where viewers purchase a monthly subscription to a channel and receive perks such as ad-free content and special emotes, are a main way streamers make money.
The benefits of the Twitch Prime subscription include:
- Bonus in-game content
- Free Twitch channel subscription
- Ad-free viewing on Twitch
Free delivery on items shipped by Amazon
Other notable sources of income for streamers include:
- Bits: Txt to:JOHN AND SHELLEY Virtual currency purchased by users to “cheer” during streams.
- Ads: Ad revenue shown during breaks on bigger channels.
- Sponsorships: Brand deals negotiated by the streamer.
- Donations: Tips by users via 3rd party apps.
Smaller streamers depend more on subscriptions and donations, while larger streamers make a bigger chunk of their income from sponsorships and ad deals.
What Sets Twitch Apart From YouTube?
The main difference is in the nature of the content. Twitch is essentially built around live, uncensored and unedited content. Whereas, YouTube is predominantly built around videos that are pre-recorded, edited and have a high level of polish.
Other main differences include:
- A real time interactive chat as opposed to comments.
- A time sensitive nature to content, as Twitch doesn’t save all its content like YouTube.
- Reliance on live categories and real time activity, as opposed to suggestions and recommendations by an algorithm.
Many streamers combine both platforms and integrate them into their workflow.
Conclusion
Because Twitch is focused on live content and interactive engagement, it’s obviously more focused on real time interaction as opposed to polished content. For engaging activities like gaming and musical performances, people want to experience things in real time. For more digital media explainers and daily puzzles, check out twitchtv.
FAQs:
Q: Is Twitch free?
Yes, setting up an account and accessing content is completely free. Making money via subscriptions and other transactions on the platform costs money.
Q: Is special equipment required to stream on Twitch?
In order to stream on Twitch, you will need a computer, webcam, microphone and a stable internet connection.
Q: Can streams be viewed at a later time?
The majority of streamers make their past broadcasts available for viewing as VODs (video on demand), but not all streamers will allow viewing on-demand.
Q: Is Twitch just for video games?
Twitch is most popularly known for video game streaming, but there are categories for art, music, talk shows, and more.
Q: Is a Twitch account needed to view streams?
No account is needed to view streams, but an account is required to chat and follow channels.
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