Exclusivity deals are a crucial part of every streaming platform's toolkit. When a platform like Twitch can get a streamer with millions of fans to use that platform alone, it can draw in tons of revenue from advertisements, subscriptions, and so on. That's why it's a big deal to see a couple of major streamers moving away from Twitch right now. TimTheTatMan recently revealed that he's leaving Twitch, opting to make content for YouTube exclusively instead. Based on his excitement about the change and the positive response from his fans, TimTheTatMan's switch to YouTube looks like it'll go smoothly. However, for Twitch, his decision to change platforms is a major blow.
TimTheTatMan's new YouTube deal is only the latest in a series of shakeups at Twitch. Shortly before TimTheTatMan's deal became public, Dr. Lupo also revealed that he's leaving Twitch for a YouTube exclusivity deal. Little by little, Twitch seems to be losing some of its biggest entertainers. This is all taking place during a very vulnerable time at Twitch too. For years Twitch has battled public opinion about its policies and community management, and right now, it's facing serious criticism for its handling of hate raids. Between mounting departures and expanding criticism, there might be a major Twitch exodus on the horizon if Twitch doesn't introduce some major changes.
Ongoing Changes and Conflicts at Twitch
TimTheTatMan and Dr. Lupo are only the latest former Twitch stars to decide to make YouTube their platform of choice. In January, YouTube got an exclusivity deal with Valkyrae, the current co-owner of esports group and lifestyle brand 100 Thieves, who soared to Internet fame thanks in part to her Among Us streams. Additionally, after his mysterious Twitch ban, Dr. Disrespect soon revealed that he would start streaming on YouTube, picking up his career right where it left off. All of these examples indicate that streamers increasingly see YouTube as a viable streaming platform and that YouTube's offers appeal to even the biggest streamers. In other words, Twitch has become a far less dominant streaming platform thanks to its new rival.
Twitch's situation is further complicated by the controversies it finds itself embroiled in. Twitch has clashed with its users over issues like DMCA claims and perceived double standards before, but now it's facing mounting criticism over how it handles harassment within its community. Streamers are experiencing more hate raids than ever, in which ill-intentioned streamers raid another person's stream and fill their chat with bots that spew verbal abuse and hateful statements. Hate raids affect streamers of all sizes and don't seem to be slowing down. After asking Twitch to do something about the raids for weeks, users organized a Twitch boycott on September 1 to express their frustration.
Twitch Needs to Take Action
It doesn't help that, on top of all of these issues, Twitch might simply lose further talent in the near future. For example, Asmongold recently talked about retiring from streaming, which would be a major loss for Twitch. In other words, the streaming platform has a lot of issues to resolve. If it doesn't do anything to fix hate raids or convince major talent to stay on Twitch, then there could be a lot of people leaving Twitch in the near future. Streamers and viewers alike have more and more issues with Twitch that make places like YouTube increasingly appealing, or at the very least, make viewers and streamers feel less compelled to use Twitch at all.
Twitch certainly isn't going to fall apart overnight. It still houses tons of huge streamers like Shroud, and as an Amazon subsidiary, it has the resources of another hugely successful company at its disposal when resolving these issues. Even so, Twitch can't afford to keep hemorrhaging major talent and viewer support. Amazon may own it, but it surely also expects Twitch to succeed. If it doesn't address user concerns and convince its biggest streamers to stay loyal to it, Twitch has many more rocky days ahead of it.