Twitch (service)

Overview

Twitch is a live streaming platform primarily used for video game live streaming, including broadcasts of eSports competitions. The service also offers music broadcasts, creative content, and more recently, "in real life" streams. Content on the site can be viewed either live or via video on demand.

History

Twitch was launched in June 2011 as a spin-off of the general-interest streaming platform, Justin.tv. The site's primary focus is on video game live streaming, including broadcasts of eSports competitions, in addition to music broadcasts, creative content, and more recently, "in real life" streams. Twitch's popularity has led to it being integrated directly into some games and platforms.

Content and Audience

Twitch is designed to be a platform for content, including eSports tournaments, personal streams of individual players, and gaming-related talk shows. A number of channels do live speedrunning. The Twitch homepage currently displays games based on viewership. The typical viewer is male and aged between 18 and 34 years of age, although the site has also made attempts at pursuing other demographics, including women.

Monetization

Twitch first added advertising to its platform in 2011, and has since added features that allow viewers to purchase services or products featured in streams. The site also offers partnerships to professional players, offering them an ad revenue share. Twitch has also created a feature called "Cheering," a special form of emoticon purchased as a microtransaction using an in-site currency known as "Bits."

Technology

Twitch features a number of different ways to consume content, including the ability to watch live streams, view recorded past broadcasts, and watch video on demand. The site also includes a chat feature, which often runs alongside a broadcast.

Impact

Twitch has been recognized as a platform that has greatly impacted the way video game culture has evolved over the last decade. It has also been credited with popularizing eSports in the United States, and with helping to propel the trend of video game livestreaming.