Twitch Streamers Face Sharp Drop in Ad Revenue
Streamers on Twitch are sounding the alarm. People like Knut—a bodybuilder who streams fitness and gaming—and Mizkif, one of the most recognized faces among gaming streamers, have come out publicly to share their struggles. The numbers are staggering: both report that their ad revenue has crashed by more than half in the last few months. Knut described it as an "all-time low," and Mizkif paints a similar picture. This isn't just a personal gripe—it's shaking up the entire community, from top-tier personalities to those just finding their footing.
What's fueling these losses? Many point to Twitch’s changes in how it handles ads. Viewers aren’t shy about complaining either. They’re being forced to sit through up to eight ads before they can even watch a stream, and they often can't skip them. Some streamers try to counter this by spacing out ads or using the new picture-in-picture (PIP) format that doesn't fully interrupt the stream, but none of these fixes have turned the tide so far. Creators say that more ads don’t mean more money for them—in fact, it seems to be squeezing all sides.
Alternatives Gain Ground as Twitch Changes Backfire
This revenue drop has opened the door for rivals. Kick, in particular, is getting attention. It’s offering a 95/5 split on revenue—so for every $100 a viewer spends, streamers keep $95. This is a huge contrast to Twitch, whose ad and subscription models leave creators with far less. The shift isn't limited to the stars: smaller channels are also taking note and even moving over to platforms that promise more reliable income.
So, how are streamers coping? Some are putting more effort into subscriptions, exclusive subscriber perks, donations, and hunting for brand sponsorships. For many, depending on Twitch ad revenue just isn't cutting it anymore. Even established creators are hedging their bets, splitting their audiences across several platforms and rethinking how they monetize content. That search for stability is getting more urgent as audience habits—and streaming platforms’ policies—keep changing.
Twitch still leads the livestreaming world for gaming, but its grip doesn't look unbreakable anymore. As creators feel the pinch and viewers get frustrated by non-stop ads, anything can happen next. The streaming landscape is shifting fast, and everyone—streamers, platforms, and fans—can feel the tension rising.
