Esports Viewership and Streaming Platforms Report
Growth in Live-Streaming Viewership
In the third quarter of 2024, Stream Hatchet, a streaming analytics firm under GameSquare Holdings, released a report highlighting notable trends in the gaming and live-streaming sectors. The report points to a significant increase in live-streaming viewership, now reaching 8.5 billion hours watched. This represents a 12% year-over-year growth, marking one of the most substantial increases since the height of the pandemic.
Esports’ Role in Live Streaming
The report also underscores the rising importance of esports in the live-streaming ecosystem. Esports now constitutes a substantial portion of the total viewership, accounting for one-fifth of all streaming hours. Major tournaments such as MPL Indonesia Season 14 and LCK Summer 2024 have collectively attracted 130 million hours of viewership, showcasing their global appeal.
Shifts in Streaming Platform Preferences
The competitive landscape of streaming platforms is evolving, with KICK and YouTube Gaming emerging as strong contenders against Twitch. Twitch’s market share has decreased to 60%, while YouTube Gaming has expanded its share from 17% to 23% over the past year. Notably, KICK experienced a remarkable 163% increase in hours watched compared to the previous year, signaling its growing influence.
Decline and Rise of Streaming Platforms
As newer platforms like AfreecaTV and Rumble gain traction, Facebook Live has slipped out of the top five most popular streaming platforms. This shift highlights the dynamic nature of the streaming industry and the constant evolution of viewer preferences.
Language Trends in Streaming
Spanish language broadcasts have seen a surge in popularity, becoming the second most-watched language on KICK with 129 million hours viewed—a 59% increase. This trend indicates the expanding reach and diversification of content in different languages, catering to a broader audience.
Industry Insights from GameSquare CEO
Justin Kenna, CEO of GameSquare, commented on the findings: “Live streaming is at the forefront of changing how audiences engage with entertainment. The Stream Hatchet Q3 2024 report illustrates that as video content continues to dominate, platforms like YouTube Gaming and KICK are capitalizing on opportunities to reshape the competitive landscape. This data highlights a trend where audience attention and platform strategies are diversifying, driving innovation and growth in live streaming as a primary medium of engagement.”
Future of Esports and Streaming
The report from Stream Hatchet serves as a valuable resource for understanding current trends and predicting future directions in the esports and streaming industries. It emphasizes the continuous growth and adaptation required by platforms to meet the evolving demands of viewers, further cementing the role of live streaming as a central component of modern entertainment.
