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The streaming world has been rocked with the news that Kick, a budding rival of Twitch, has signed xQc, a top Twitch streamer, with a staggering $100 million non-exclusive contract.
While the initial deal is valued at $70 million, it could ramp up to $100 million, hinged on specific incentives.
This event has prompted reactions from top streamers, leading some to predict a challenging future for Twitch.
xQc: The Biggest Catch in Streaming Sports History
On June 16, 2023, Kick made a dramatic entry into the competitive streaming landscape by signing a non-exclusive contract with xQc, one of Twitch’s most popular streamers.
While xQc will continue to stream on Twitch, Kick’s extraordinary deal, one of the most lucrative in sports history, marks a significant move towards diversifying his streaming platforms.
Upon breaking the news, xQc expressed his excitement about exploring new opportunities with Kick.
He commented, “Kick is allowing me to try and do things I haven’t been able to do before.
I am extremely excited to take this opportunity and maximize it into new creative and fresh ideas over the coming years.”
Streamers React to xQc’s Mammoth Contract with Kick
xQc’s decision to join Kick has drawn comments from big names across the streaming world.
Mizkif, a well-known streamer associated with OTK, one of the largest organizations in the live streaming market, kept his response succinct, stating, “Twitch is done,” indicating the potential consequences of xQc’s move on Twitch’s future.
Other streamers such as MoistCr1TiKaL added fuel to the fire, criticizing Twitch’s contracts with its streamers in a sarcastic comment about the platform’s comparative offers.
He quipped, “Holy shit…don’t worry though, Twitch is offering other top streamers a free ice cream cone once a month to keep them exclusive on their platform.”
The Ripple Effect: Implications on the Streaming Industry
As Kick continues to sign top streamers during its growth phase, industry insiders are keen to observe the platform’s trajectory.
The recent developments and reactions from the streaming community indicate a potential shift in the dynamics of the industry, posing a challenge to Amazon-owned Twitch’s dominance.
Doubts Hover Over Twitch’s Future Post-xQc’s Deal
With xQc’s exit, Twitch’s long-standing supremacy in the live streaming industry seems to be on shaky ground.
The platform has been the primary choice for live streaming since the late 2010s and witnessed further growth in 2020 due to the lockdowns.
However, emerging platforms like Kick, signing high-profile streamers, signal stiff competition. xQc’s move to Kick has led some of the top streamers to declare this could be the final blow for Twitch.
Twitch’s Challenges Intensify Post xQc’s Kick Deal
Given xQc’s popularity, his move away from Twitch represents a significant setback for the platform.
This shift, coupled with recent controversies like the Partner plus program and the retracted rules about “burned-in” advertisements, has caused frustration among many streamers, prompting them to question Twitch’s future.
Mizkif’s comment, “Twitch is done,” reflects a broader sentiment among the platform’s top streamers.
Notably, OTK, a major organization in live streaming, has previously threatened to leave Twitch due to contentious ad changes.
As these concerns persist, it remains uncertain how long they will continue to stick around.
Popular streamer Asmongold has also hinted at a potential move to Kick. If such transitions continue, Twitch risks losing more high
