How Twitch’s Simulcasting Ban Will Affect Streamers
Live streaming platform Twitch updated its Terms of Service on June 8, 2023, effectively banning all of its streamers from simulcasting to similar platforms.Twitch has taken various stances regarding simulcasting in the past, causing confusion and frustration among streamers in the community.So what exactly are Twitch’s rules for simulcasting, and what do they mean for streamers on the platform?
Twitch Bans Simulcasting
Simulcasting, also referred to as “multistreaming,” occurs when the streamer goes live on multiple platforms at the same timeusing a service like Restream.
Twitch’s June 2023 update to itsTerms of Servicemainly focused on Branded Content, a topic that overshadowed the changes made to its multistreaming policy.
Still, many top streamers like Ninja voiced their disappointment over the announcement.
In the past, most streamers could broadcast to Twitch, YouTube Live, Facebook, or any other competitive platform simultaneously without issue. Twitch Affiliates and Partners (those who have contracts with Twitch and make money on the platform) however, could not.
Then, in August 2022, Twitch emailed Partners and Affiliates with an announcement regarding simulcasting and exclusivity that left many unclear about who could stream to what platforms and when.
In short, mobile platforms like TikTok and Instagram were given the green light for simulcasting. “Twitch-like” competitors such as YouTube Live, Trovo, etc. however, were not allowed. Streamers who were not officially contracted with Twitch, roughly 60% of the platformaccording to TwitchStats, were still safe to multistream to any platform of their choosing.
But the newest update to Twitch’s Terms of Service has left little doubt about its stance on multistreaming. No streamer using Twitch may simulcast to a competitive platform such as YouTube Live, Kick, or any other Twitch-like site.
Forstreamers hoping to build their Twitch viewership, the simulcasting ban comes as unwelcome news.
What Does Twitch’s Simulcasting Ban Mean for Streamers?
Twitch believes that streaming to multiple platforms at the same time will result in “a sub-optimal experience” for viewers. As an alternative, Twitch suggests its streamers use mobile-first platforms like TikTok and Instagram to grow their audience.
According toTwitch’s Simulcasting Guidelines, any streamer who doesn’t adhere to the new policy will receive a warning. Further infractions could result in an account suspension.
Going forward, Twitch streamers will need to decide from a few different options:
Twitch remains the largest live streaming platform by a significant margin, but more and more streamers are exploring opportunities on other sites.
Will Twitch Remain the Top Live Streaming Platform?
If we take a look atthe history of live streaming, it’s easy to see that Twitch has been a key player since the beginning. Though Twitch has always been the king of the live streaming industry, it’s no secret that competitor platforms like Kick and YouTube Live are after its crown.
Only time will tell if Kick or a similar platform can truly eclipse Twitch. COVID-19 lockdowns saw a surge in live streaming, both creation and consumption, as many of us looked for ways to pass the time. But as the world works toward a “new normal,” it will be interesting to see how the live streaming space evolves.
Changes Keep Coming for Twitch Streamers
Some streamers have been left disenchanted with Twitch after its recent TOS announcements. In an effort to regain their support, Twitch has proposed a new revenue split for select streamers. But what does the split entail, and will it be enough to keep streamers from switching?
Twitch has a new Partner Plus program coming out, but is it worth the attention that it’s receiving?
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