In a significant move to bolster the community of live streamers, Twitch has rolled out a feature that many in the community have been clamoring for. The streaming behemoth now permits its broadcasters to simulcast their live feeds not only on its own platform but also on global giants such as YouTube and the emerging Kick.
This breakthrough decision is set to empower streamers to potentially reach untapped audiences and thereby widen their viewer base. However, there is a caveat. Those streamers who are bound by an exclusivity agreement with Twitch won’t have this facility at their disposal. But in an olive branch of sorts, Twitch mentioned that its ‘Partnered streamers’ – those who opt to jump ship to other platforms – can always return and reapply for the revered Partner Programme.
Reflecting on this transformative change, Jeremy Forrester, the VP of community product at Twitch, highlighted the platform’s inherent desire to remain the most interactive, live creator service. In a chat with Polygon, Forrester stated, “We want to offer streamers the autonomy to decide how best they want to cultivate their communities. This initiative has been majorly steered by the community’s aspirations.”
This new rollout was one of the key highlights at the TwitchCon Las Vegas, which sought to build on the dynamism from its Paris chapter held earlier this year.
Twitch is not stopping at just simulcasting. The platform unveiled a slew of other features:
- Stream Together: Earlier known as Guest Star, this revamped feature now emphasizes on facilitating collaborations between streamers. One of its standout features allows the display of the combined viewership of collaborating broadcasters.
- Twitch Stories: Borrowing a leaf from popular social media platforms, Twitch has now incorporated a ‘Stories’ feature, granting streamers another avenue to engage with their followers.
- Enhanced Featured Clips: Streamers can now effortlessly spotlight their standout moments. Furthermore, a novel vertical clip option will be added to the Clip Editor.
- Robust Off-Service Policy: Twitch has beefed up its policies to strictly prohibit malicious actions such as swatting and doxxing.
Owned by e-commerce titan Amazon, Twitch seems to be on an incessant quest to refine and expand its services, ensuring both the streamers and viewers get an unparalleled experience. With simulcasting in its arsenal, it’s evident that Twitch is not just playing the game but is on a mission to redefine it.