Twitch Allows Streamers to Multicast on Any Service

TwitchCon Announcement:

In a significant move, Twitch has announced that its creators can now simultaneously stream on various live streaming services. Until now, streamers could only simulcast on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. However, this expansion comes with a caveat; it is subject to the absence of an exclusivity agreement with Twitch.

Diversification Trend:

In recent times, prominent Twitch streamers have been exploring options on competing platforms. Notable figures like xQc, Amouranth, and Nickmercs have signed substantial deals with Twitch competitor Kick, with xQc and Nickmercs opting for non-exclusive agreements. Ninja also parted ways with his exclusive Twitch contract in September 2022 to embrace the option of simulcasting on multiple platforms.

New Guidelines:

Twitch has outlined specific guidelines for its simulcasting policy. Streamers must ensure that the quality of their Twitch stream matches or exceeds that of other platforms. Moreover, they are discouraged from sharing links to their Twitch community during simulcasts on other platforms. While streamers can still include links to third-party websites on their channel’s About pages, they cannot link out to their other simulcasts while live on Twitch. Furthermore, using third-party services to merge chats across platforms is not allowed. Twitch is working on implementing a tool for streamers to indicate when they are simulcasting.

Strengthened Off-Service Conduct Policy

Combatting Harmful Behavior: Twitch has taken steps to enhance its off-service conduct policy to better protect its streamers. The company has added doxxing and swatting to the list of behaviors it will enforce against. This change is effective immediately. The decision to include doxxing in the policy comes in the wake of a recent controversy involving YouTuber Jacksfilms, who accused SSSniperWolf of doxxing him in an Instagram story. Subsequently, YouTube announced its temporary demonetization of SSSniperWolf’s channel, and SSSniperWolf issued an apology on X (formerly Twitter).

Twitch Product Updates

Stream Together: The Guest Star feature, which enables streamers to host co-streams with others, will be rebranded as Stream Together. It will also receive new features, including the ability to merge chats, enhancing the collaborative streaming experience.

Discovery Feed Enhancement: Twitch is testing a version of its Discovery Feed, similar to TikTok-style content discovery, aimed at surfacing live channels and enhancing content discoverability for users.

Custom Emotes Support: Twitch’s alert system for notifications, such as subscribers and Bits donations, will soon support streamers’ custom animated emotes, providing a more personalized and engaging experience for their audiences.