Twitch, the wildly popular live-streaming platform, has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a small project.
Today, it boasts 140 million monthly users and features numerous popular streamers who earn millions through the platform.
But how did Twitch rise to dominate the live-streaming industry?
To understand the company’s success, it’s helpful to examine its origins, current size, and revenue sources. Let’s look closely at how long has Twitch been around.
How Long Has Twitch Been Around?
Twitch, the well-known streaming platform for gaming content, has a rich history dating back to 2007.
It all began with Justin.tv, a streaming service created by Justin Kan, Emmett Shear, Michael Seibel, and Kyle Vogt.
Initially focused on “In Real Life” (IRL) content, Justin.tv eventually opened up to more creators and allowed users to live stream their range using the “broadcasts” feature.
However, the gaming category saw the fastest growth on the platform.
In 2011, the founders launched a new platform for gaming content, TwitchTV, about “twitch gameplay” – challenges in video games that test a player’s reaction time.
Twitch gained over 3 million unique visitors per month in its first year, and by 2012, it had grown to over 20 million unique visitors per month.
By 2014, it was attracting 55 million viewers each month and accounted for 1.8% of internet traffics, surpassing Facebook, Valve, and Amazon.
It’s clear that Twitch has come a long way since its inception as Justin.tv and has solidified itself as a significant player in the content creation and gaming industries.
Growth of Twitch
Twitch’s success did not go unnoticed by tech giants like Google and Amazon.
The platform’s unique video-sharing and live-streaming approach likely caught their attention and made them realize their potential.
In 2014, rumors began circulating that Google was planning to acquire Twitch and potentially make it a subsidiary.
Even though the deal fell through before the end of the year due to potential issues, Google also has YouTube, Twitch’s main competitor.
Google was willing to pay a hefty $1 billion to buy Twitch Interactive.
Few weeks after Justin.tv was shut down, and the focus shifted solely to Twitch, another primary business had the chance to purchase Twitch Interactive.
On August 25, 2014, Amazon acquired Twitch for $970 million, making it a subsidiary of the e-commerce giant.
Amazon already owned two other game services, Double Helix Games and Reflexive Entertainment, and CEO Emmett Shear remained at the helm of Twitch.
Since its acquisition by Amazon, Twitch has continued to thrive and cement its position as a leading streaming platform for gaming content.
Conclusion
By reading this article on how long has Twitch been around, you probably understood that Twitch had become a household name for gaming enthusiasts and content creators worldwide.
Its popularity can be attributed to the millions of viewers who tune in to watch streams for entertainment and to learn more about the games they are playing.
Over the years, the platform has attracted a diverse community of users, viewers, and streamers, all of whom have contributed to its growth and success.
In addition to providing entertainment and information, Twitch has also played a significant role in shaping the gaming industry and the surrounding community.
Many gamers and streamers credit the platform for helping them connect with like-minded individuals and build their careers in the gaming world.
From e-sports tournaments to creative streams showcasing the latest games, Twitch has something for everyone.
