Link: More than half a dozen celebrity video game streamers returned exclusively to Twitch in 2024, after their multimillion-dollar YouTube and Kick contracts expired (Cecilia D'Anastasio/Bloomberg)

High-profile video-game streamers are returning to Twitch, despite having previously left for lucrative deals with platforms like YouTube and Kick.

After contracts ended, streamers like Rachell “Valkyrae” Hofstetter returned to Twitch, bringing a significant viewership back to the platform that first popularized livestreaming.

Huge contracts from competitors aimed to poach talent, but Twitch still remains an unparalleled leader in the livestreaming arena due to its robust community and tailored streaming features.

Experts argue that while competitive platforms initially attracted streamers with high payouts, the shift did not always result in sustained viewer engagement or a viable business model.

Kris Lamberson, known as FaZe Swagg, returned to Twitch, highlighting shortcomings in YouTube’s focus on livestreaming compared to its traditional pre-recorded content strategies.

Twitch’s adaptable policy, allowing streamers to appear on multiple platforms, combined with its foundational role in the livestream culture, continues to draw streamers and viewers alike. #

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