As lockdowns lift, Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook see stream declines
Lockdown easing may have hit streaming platforms.
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In a report fromStreamLabs, it seems that popular streaming platforms are seeing a downward trend, and the lifting of pandemic lockdowns may be to blame.
Before vaccines put a dent in covid-19 hospitalization rates, web services enjoyed a wave of unprecedented growth, as lockdowns kept schools closed and offices empty. Some sites saw double or even triple-digit growth, but with lockdown restrictions easing, it seems to have led to declines in viewership across most major streaming platforms. StreamLabs also cited Tencent’s streaming competitor Trovo as a potential threat to Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook — although its footprint remains minuscule.
Twitch managed to grab some growth from the previous quarter, buoyed by its non-gaming “Just Chatting” category. Despite lockdowns easing, total watch hours didn’t decline over the previous quarter, but did decline year-over-year by 8.06%, compared to Q1 2021.
It’ll be interesting to see how user habits evolve as lockdowns gradually continue to lift. The competitiveness of the space led to Microsoft killing off its own streaming service, Mixer, given that the service failed to see any meaningful traction in the first wave of lockdowns — arguably a clear sign of disinterest from users. Microsoft has since sought to integrate Twitch more deeply into its services and programming.
_If you’re interested in streaming games from your Xbox, do take a look at ourcapture card guide. _
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Jez Corden is the Executive Editor at Windows Central, focusing primarily on all things Xbox and gaming. Jez is known for breaking exclusive news and analysis as relates to the Microsoft ecosystem while being powered by tea. Follow onTwitter (X)andThreads, and listen to hisXB2 Podcast, all about, you guessed it, Xbox!
