Twitch restricts streamers from simulcasting on YouTube
We could see more poker streamers and live poker broadcasts move to YouTube following a crackdown on simulcasting from Twitch.
At the start of 2023, this writer predicted that YouTube would overtake Twitch as the main poker streaming platform. This is not because of some unique insight, I was purely piggybacking on the harsh words Lex Veldhuis had for the platform when he gave up his Twitch partner status.
This week we had more news that might lead to an exodus from Twitch to YouTube. The platform announced it will not allow streamers to simulcast on Twitch and other streaming platforms.
A lot of streamers, including Lex Veldhuis, gave up their exclusive partnership with Twitch to be able to stream at the same time on Twitch and YouTube:
Great news to wake up to. Have to consider my options and have a think.
Maybe an easy decision as @Twitch is completely lost and only making short term decisions that make 0 sense. This one right here is a perfect example. https://t.co/sCGFT5WHkj
— Lex Veldhuis (@LexVeldhuis) June 7, 2023
No simulcasting is quite bad for the poker space unless they are giving permission really easily. Most of the big creators have broken their Twitch contract to simulcast. This wont be possible now. Lets see how it plays out.
(FYI I still am Twitch exclusive for live.) https://t.co/23LBPpW2FN
— Jaime Staples (@jaimestaples) June 7, 2023
It was also revealed this week that there would be restrictions on the type of advertising streamers could display on their channels:
Twitch still making the worst decisions.
The big poker creators who have built other platforms will be okay but this will hurt so many small - medium channels.
A dam shame. 👎🻠https://t.co/k4KsjLtDCV
— KMart (@KevinRobMartin) June 6, 2023
It appears that the complaints Lex had about Twitch have been felt by other streamers. This week another high-profile Twitch Partner, Kevin Martin, announced he was leaving his exclusive deal so that he can stream on multiple channels:
My twitch partner is ending asap and don't want Twitch to charge you!!
I will still be streaming on Twitch as a non-partner but also plan to stream to other platforms like Youtube, Kick.
2/3
— KMart (@KevinRobMartin) June 5, 2023
It would appear following this news about simulcasting we might see Kevin, and other streamers, jumping ship to YouTube exclusively in the near future.
This doesn't just impact the players who stream online poker, this will also have a significant impact on the live poker streamers like the European Poker Tour that previously broadcast on both platforms. Given YouTube is more widely used, it looks likely that will be the favoured platform for live poker streams going forward.
Do you prefer watching poker on YouTube or Twitch ? Let us know in the comments:
