Streaming News

Streaming News for Week of October 2nd 2023

Twitch News

Partner Plus updates:

Twitch has updated its Partner Plus help article with new FAQs and launched new dashboards to track points and income. This is a significant update that will help Partners better understand the program and their progress, and make it easier for them to manage their earnings.

  • Discovery Feed expansion:
  • The Discovery Feed experiment, which helps users find new streamers to watch based on their interests, has been expanded to more users. This is a good sign that Twitch is committed to making the Discovery Feed a valuable feature for all users.

  • Twitchcon app launch:
  • Twitchcon has launched its Android and iOS app for Twitchcon Vegas. The app allows attendees to browse the schedule, create a personalized itinerary, and connect with other attendees. This is a welcome addition to the Twitchcon experience, as it will make it easier for attendees to plan their time and get the most out of the event.

  • Safety Advisory Council update:
  • Twitch has updated its Safety Advisory Council, with CohhCarnage stepping down and two new moderators being added. The Safety Advisory Council is a group of experts who help Twitch develop and implement safety policies. The addition of two new moderators to the council is a positive step, as it will bring new perspectives and expertise to the table.

  • Watch Streaks experiment:
  • A new experiment for Watch Streaks, which will show a progress bar and streak notifications, will be launched soon. This experiment is designed to encourage viewers to watch their favorite streamers more consistently.

  • Game directory page updates:
  • Game directory pages now have direct links to IGDB pages. IGDB is a database of video game information, and this change will make it easier for users to learn more about the games they are interested in watching.

  • State of Engineering blog post:
  • Twitch shared a State of Engineering blog post covering its various teams and what they do. This is a great opportunity for the community to learn more about the people who work hard to make Twitch the platform it is today.

  • CommanderRoot’s Q3 Twitch Streaming Stats:
  • CommanderRoot shared his Q3 Twitch Streaming Stats, which show an increase in community streamers, fewer affiliates and partners streaming, and ~70 fewer staff accounts. This suggests that there is a growing interest in streaming on Twitch, but that the platform is also facing some challenges.

  • Fortune Magazine article on “legal viewbotting”:
  • Fortune Magazine wrote an article about top creators demanding that Twitch fix the “legal viewbotting” issue. This issue sees some creators embedding their streams on other websites to get a massive increase in viewership. Twitch has not yet addressed this issue, but it is one that is likely to continue to be a source of tension between the platform and its creators.

  • Twitch CCO Laura Lee’s interview with CNBC:
  • Twitch CCO Laura Lee appeared in a throwaway interview with CNBC. She was asked questions that she did not answer, which was disappointing. It would have been good to hear more from Lee about Twitch’s plans for the future.

  • Twitch’s former Head of Global Comms joins WhatNot:
  • Twitch’s recently departed Head of Global Comms has taken a job at WhatNot. This follows Twitch’s Chief Product Officer taking a job there last month. It is unclear what these departures mean for Twitch, but they are certainly worth noting.Overall, there is a lot of news coming out of Twitch right now. The company is making changes to its Partner Plus program, expanding the Discovery Feed experiment, launching a new Twitchcon app, updating its Safety Advisory Council, and experimenting with Watch Streaks. It is also facing some challenges, such as the “legal viewbotting” issue and the departure of key staff members. It will be interesting to see how Twitch addresses these challenges and shapes the future of streaming.

    Streaming Industry News

    Twitter Gears Up to Offer a Competitor to Twitch

    Twitter has shared how creators can stream gaming content with OBS on their platform, a clear signal that the company is serious about becoming a competitor to Twitch in the streaming space. Twitter has a number of advantages over Twitch, including a larger user base and a more integrated social media platform. However, Twitch has a significant head start in the streaming market, and it will be difficult for Twitter to catch up.

    Cloudflare Launches Open Beta of New Low-Latency HLS Streaming

    Cloudflare has launched an open beta of its new Low-Latency HLS streaming service. HLS is a streaming protocol that is widely used for live streaming video. Cloudflare’s new service promises to reduce latency and improve the performance of live streams by up to 50%. This is a significant development for the streaming industry, as it could lead to a better viewing experience for users, especially those who live in areas with poor internet connectivity.

    TikTok Reduces VOD Storage on Live Streams

    TikTok has reduced VOD storage on live streams from 90 to 30 days. This change was likely made to reduce costs and improve performance. While some users may be disappointed by this change, it is important to remember that TikTok is a free platform. TikTok is still a relatively new platform, and it is likely that it will continue to evolve in the coming months and years.

    YouTube CEO Neal Mohan Focuses on Safety

    In a recent interview, the new YouTube CEO Neal Mohan shared that safety is his number one responsibility. He also pledged to focus on making YouTube more accessible to people around the world. These are positive goals, and it will be interesting to see how Mohan achieves them.

    YouTube Updates Ad Guidelines on Controversial Topics

    YouTube has updated its ad guidelines on controversial issues, such as sexual and domestic abuse, abortion, and eating disorders. This is a positive step, as it will help to create a safer and more inclusive platform for all users. The new guidelines make it clear that YouTube will not tolerate ads that promote these controversial topics.

    Other Streaming Industry News

    • Linktree has posted its annual Creator Report, which includes some valuable takeaways for creators at all stages of their journey.
    • Xsolla (Twitch’s payment processor) has acquired AccelerateXR, their most significant update since offering integration with Crypto.com Pay. This acquisition will allow Xsolla to expand its reach into the virtual reality and augmented reality market.
    • Spotify is introducing Voice Translation and Dubbing for podcasts. This is a great new feature for users who want to listen to podcasts in a language other than their native language.
    • Gabi Belle has written a fascinating article about the Weird World of TikTok Live. In the article, Belle explores the different types of content that are streamed on TikTok Live, and she discusses the culture that has developed around the platform.
    • Bandcamp is being sold to Songtradr, which also owns Pretzel Rocks. This acquisition is likely to have a significant impact on the independent music industry, as Songtradr is a major music distributor.
    • Epic Games has laid off 16% of its staff. This is the first major layoff in Epic Games’ history, and it is a sign that the company is facing some challenges.
    • TikTok Stars are doing 24/7 livestreams and making significant money, according to Wired. This is a new trend in the streaming industry, and it is unclear how sustainable it is in the long term.

    Overall, the streaming industry is a dynamic and ever-changing landscape. There are new developments happening all the time, and there is a lot of potential for growth. It will be interesting to see how the industry evolves in the coming years.

    Additional thoughts

    The streaming industry is still in its early stages of development, and there is a lot of room for innovation. We can expect to see new streaming platforms emerge in the coming years, and we can also expect to see existing streaming platforms continue to evolve.

    One of the most important trends in the streaming industry is the shift towards mobile streaming. More and more people are watching streaming content on their smartphones and tablets. This trend is being driven by the increasing availability of high-speed mobile internet and the growing popularity of mobile devices.

    Another important trend in the streaming industry is the rise of live streaming. Live streaming allows creators to interact with their viewers in real time. This type of content is very engaging and can be used to build a strong community around a brand or channel.

    The streaming industry is also facing some challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the issue of piracy. Piracy is the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted content. Piracy can have a significant impact on the revenue of streaming platforms and creators

    NerdTitan

    Host of Streamer Conversations Podcast, where we talk about all things streaming from tech, hardware, software, general help and mental health.With a long history in Advertising, Audio Engineering, Tech, and Photography. Just here to share what I have learned. LGBTQIA/ASD - Mental Health Advocate.

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