Streaming News for week of Dec 11th 2023
In the ever-evolving landscape of online streaming, Twitch continues to be at the forefront of innovation and community engagement. As we delve into the latest developments, this news recap brings you a comprehensive overview of the recent changes, events, and announcements shaping the Twitch platform. From exciting additions for Affiliates and Partners to noteworthy industry shifts, our exploration encompasses the diverse facets of the streaming world. Join us on a journey through the dynamic updates and significant moments that have unfolded, both within Twitch and the broader streaming industry.
Twitch News Recap
In the latest developments on Twitch, significant changes and events have shaped the platform for both Affiliates and Partners. The number of unlockable non-animated emotes for them has increased to ten, up from the previous nine. Additionally, animated emotes have doubled from five to ten, with an opportunity to unlock two more by activating any Twitch alert. Partners have also gained access to five animated emotes each for Tier 2 and Tier 3 Subscribers.
Furthermore, a Support-a-Streamer event is underway from December 5 to January 2. Streamers broadcasting popular games like Minecraft, Halo Infinite, Sea of Thieves, Starfield, Forza Horizon 5, or Forza Motorsport 2023 are eligible. Those who gift two subscriptions to these streamers will receive rewards, including 170 Minecraft Coins, a Halo Infinite Weapon Charm, and a Sea of Thieves Omen Pack.
The recent Together for Good campaign showcased the generosity of the Twitch community, raising an impressive $550,000 for various charities worldwide through the participation of 8152 streamers.
However, not all news is positive. Twitch has decided to end its streaming services in South Korea due to substantial operating costs. The blog post reveals that Korean ISPs demand payment for bandwidth usage, making the cost ten times higher. Korean creators will lose their ability to monetize or stream on Twitch after February 27th.
In personnel changes, Chief Revenue Officer Walker Jacobs has departed from Twitch, marking the seventh prominent executive to leave in 2023. Additionally, vertical clips have been incorporated into the discovery feed.
Annual recaps are now available, accompanied by the launch of a platformer-style game where users collect goat emotes. Three new global badges, two for the Game Awards voting tool and one for the 2023 Recap game, have been introduced this week. Moreover, a new global emote, GoatEmotey, made its debut.
Twitch has expanded its roster by signing Nick Cannon for streaming on the platform. A soft launch of the upcoming Sub Tokens occurred this week, and the Guest Star feature is getting an enhancement, along with a call-in button for favored collaborations.
Streaming Industry News
Turning our attention to the broader streaming industry, Streamlabs now provides streaming support for Twitter. A new service for Twitch streamers facilitates better clip management through search, filter, and tag functionalities.
In Korea, Naver is re-entering the streaming market with a new platform called CHZZK. TikTok has launched Compatibility Mode, allowing streamers to send their feed in both Landscape and Portrait orientations. Viewers on TikTok are testing the ability to highlight their comments in live streams in exchange for tokens.
Zoomaa has expressed concerns about potential restrictions on Call of Duty League watch parties on Twitch. Advertiser spending on collaborations with content creators is anticipated to grow by 25% in 2024. In a notable acquisition, Rode has acquired the audio company Mackie, signaling potential developments in audio technology within the streaming industry.
Conclusion
The recent developments on Twitch underscore its commitment to fostering a vibrant community of content creators and viewers. From expanded emote offerings and charitable initiatives to global badges and new signings, Twitch remains a hub of constant innovation. However, challenges, such as the cessation of streaming services in South Korea and executive departures, remind us of the complex dynamics in the streaming industry.
Beyond Twitch, the streaming landscape is witnessing notable advancements, with platforms like TikTok and Naver redefining the user experience. As the industry anticipates substantial growth in advertiser spending and explores new collaborations, the future promises exciting possibilities.
As we continue to witness the evolution of streaming, one thing is certain—change is constant. Whether it’s technological enhancements, strategic acquisitions, or community-driven events, the streaming world is a dynamic space that keeps both creators and viewers eagerly anticipating what comes next. Stay tuned for more updates as we navigate the ever-expanding realm of online streaming.
