Streaming News for Week of October 23rd 2023
Twitch News
Twitch creators now have the immediate ability to multi-stream across different platforms. However, this newfound freedom comes with certain conditions. Sharing links to other services is prohibited, and the use of third-party services to combine activities, such as merging chats on your stream, is also not allowed. Additionally, you must ensure that your Twitch stream maintains a comparable quality to other platforms where you multi-stream.
For Affiliates and Partners, exciting changes are on the horizon. They will soon enjoy double the number of animated emotes, and the opportunity to unlock additional slots by leveraging Twitch’s First Party Alerts feature.
As the holiday season approaches, Twitch plans to run a December Holiday promotion reminiscent of Subtember. This promotion will provide discounts on Subs, Gift Subs, and Bits, accompanied by a unique themed Hype Train.
Moderators on Twitch will now have the capability to send private warnings to chatters through Chat Warnings, which must be acknowledged before continuing to chat. The Off-Service Conduct policy has been updated to include Doxxing and Swatting as actions that will be enforced against.
Smart Detection Auto-mod settings are now accessible to all creators, enhancing their content management capabilities. Video Embed Autoplay is subject to new rules to ensure that it serves as a “substantive or meaningful” component of the page. Non-compliant domains will receive warnings until November 1st. This development follows recent news regarding Dan Clancy’s efforts to identify and address non-compliant domains.
In recent news, a new global animated emote, “TwitchconHype,” was introduced over the weekend. The Guest Star feature has undergone a rebranding as “Stream Together” and will soon incorporate a “Drop-In” function, allowing creators to indicate their willingness to collaborate with guests and specify who can join. In 2024, viewership data will be shared with collaborators, and a merge chat function will be launched.
Based on available data, Twitchcon Las Vegas attracted an estimated 26,000 attendees. Creator dashboards have introduced a new tab named “Clips Viewership and Analytics.” Additionally, a modern design for the Bits Card is set to be launched soon.
Alejo’s Pronoun Extension is receiving updates to allow for greater customization options. In the near future, a USA-based Hype Challenge will commence on November 6th, exclusively for invited Partners. The top goal for creators participating in this challenge, which involves accumulating roughly $30,000 in Bits/Subs, is to secure Twitchcon Tickets and a Hotel stay.
Emerging research has raised concerns about the safety of minors on Twitch, with nearly half of them sharing their real names and locations. Researchers are urging Twitch to take more proactive measures to protect underage creators aged 13-17.
In an exclusive interview, Digiday spoke with Twitch’s Chief Marketing Officer about brands, community, and Twitchcon. It’s notable that Twitch and YouTube have shifted their approaches to talent acquisition, with fewer financial commitments compared to the notable spending seen in 2020.
While there have been claims that Twitch is losing talent, particularly in an article by Polygon, this perspective is countered by the prevalence of non-exclusive deals. Twitch has predominantly lost creators through bans, rather than departures.
Lastly, Twitch’s LAX office has received an Award of Merit for its Small Project design.
Streaming News
Patreon has taken a significant step into the livestreaming space by acquiring a service named Moment. This marks Patreon’s inaugural foray into the livestreaming sector, positioning itself as a first-party solution.
On YouTube, a new feature allows you to include pronouns in your channel information. However, this feature is currently available exclusively in the United States and offered in the English language.
YouTube is also introducing a feature called “Stable Volume,” aimed at enhancing the viewing experience for its users.
Logitech Streamlabs has recently launched a new campaign, debuting at Twitchcon. This initiative is likely to have a substantial impact on the streaming and content creation community.
According to Polygon, the role of a successful Twitch Streamer now increasingly demands proficiency as a TikToker. This fusion of skills appears to be an emerging trend in the streaming world.
Polygon has also highlighted the essential role that Moderators play within the Twitch community. Often referred to as the “Unpaid Backbone of Twitch,” their contributions are fundamental to maintaining a positive and engaging streaming environment.
