Twitch is a popular platform that has become a career choice for many people who enjoy playing and watching video games. With billions of dollars in annual revenue, Twitch is among the most popular websites and apps. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at everything you need to know about Twitch.
What is Twitch TV?
Twitch is a live video streaming platform that allows users to livestream anything from games to music, talk shows, sports, travel, and cooking, among others. Twitch describes itself as a place “where millions of people come together live every day to chat, interact, and make their own entertainment together.”
Founded in 2007 as Justin.tv, a video broadcasting site, Twitch started to get popular with its gaming section, leading to the creation of Twitch.tv in 2011. In 2014, Justin.tv was shut down, and Twitch was acquired by Amazon, which still owns it.
Twitch is the leading livestreaming platform, with its closest competitor being YouTube. It has around 7 million active streamers and an average of about 2.5 million concurrent live viewers.
How Twitch works and how you can access it
To use Twitch, you can sign up as a streamer/broadcaster or a viewer. Twitch is a key platform for video game players and enthusiasts, who can stream and watch video game content, among other types of content. Twitch is accessible on various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, PlayStation (PS4 and PS5), Xbox (One and Series S/X), and smart TV platforms like Apple TV and the best Android TV boxes.
You can follow your favorite creators for free and buy paid subscriptions to support them. To stream on Twitch, you need a setup, which is detailed in our guide on how to stream on Twitch.
What is a Twitch Affiliate?
The Twitch Affiliate Program helps streamers to make money off of their channel. To join the Twitch Affiliate Program, streamers must meet the following criteria simultaneously over a 30-day period: reach 50 followers, stream for eight hours, stream on seven different days, and have an average of three viewers. Once they become Twitch Affiliates, they can make money through subscriptions and advertising.
Twitch Partners
Twitch also has the Twitch Partner Program, which is a more advanced level than Affiliate. Twitch Affiliate creators that maintain consistency can qualify for the Partner program. The eligibility requirements for Partner over a period of 30 days include streamers to stream for 25 hours, stream on 12 different days, and have an average concurrent viewership of 75 viewers. Twitch Partners can earn money via bits and ads, among other methods.
How much money do Twitch streamers make?
Twitch streamers can monetize their content through subscriptions, bits, and ads, among other means. The amount of money earned by Twitch streamers depends on popularity, audience size, and revenue sources. A Twitch data leak in 2021 revealed earnings of the top 100 Twitch streamers, with the highest earner making $9,626,712.16 during the period of August 2019 to October 2021. Top 100 Twitch streamers make at least $32,850 per month, while the top 10,000 make at least $904 per month.
What is Twitch Turbo?
Twitch Turbo is a premium subscription service that costs $8.99 per month, providing features like ad-free viewing, a Twitch Turbo chat badge, extra emotes, custom chat username colors, and extended broadcast storage.
Twitch and Prime Gaming subscription
Twitch integrates well with Prime Gaming, which is an additional perk of Amazon Prime membership. Benefits of Prime Gaming include free games, in-game content, and a Twitch channel subscription, among others. To claim these benefits, you can connect your Amazon Prime account to Twitch.
Twitch is a great platform for broadcasters and viewers alike
Twitch has been leading the livestreaming scene for a long time, and it faces competition from YouTube’s gaming offerings. However, it still remains popular due to its diverse range of content and monetization options. Whether you love watching live entertainment or making it, Twitch is a good platform to explore.
