Twitch partners are now allowed to stream on other platforms as Amazon-owned company removes exclusivity clause

In a surprising, yet welcome move, Twitch has recently informed its partnered streamers that they can stream on other platforms like YouTube and Facebook without breaking their partnership. This effectively removes the exclusivity clause in their Partner Program, which previously forbade them from branching out to their rivals.

The Partner Program has been the go-to for streamers looking to start a career in streaming on the purple platform. The program unlocks many features such as VOD recordings, custom emotes, and other items that are considered essential for streaming.

The removal of the exclusivity clause will give creators an increased freedom to make content on other platforms, thus increase their reach to a wider audience.

The only plausible limitation here appears to be that partners won't be able to stream on other platforms simultaneously. Other than that, the company assures that promoting and talking about different platforms is encouraged in a bid to build a better community:

"Partners and Affiliates are allowed to create live content on other platforms. This means that you have more flexibility to explore how to use different, off-platform features to further build your community."

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“Starting today, you are now allowed to create live content on other platforms”: Reads the email sent by Twitch mail to partners

Streamers and sporting personalities have shared the email on social media, celebrating the move. Popular streamers have been leaving Twitch for YouTube in recent years. This year alone, prominent exponents such as Sykkuno, Myth, and LilyPichu joined the red platform as they left Twitch with millions of followers.

The email acknowledged that streamers utilize a variety of avenues to interact with their communities and claimed that this shift will allow them more freedom to expand their audiences off-platform. As long as they aren't simultaneously live on Twitch, content providers can go live on other sites. By doing this, they may connect with a wider demographic and perhaps convince them to hop on Twitch.

Stating that they were wrong to put up an exclusivity contract, the mail emphasized their intention to update such terms from next year:

"We also recognize that the digital landscape has changed since we first introduced the Partner Program and that many of you engage with your communities in many different places. So, we are updating our policy. We will no longer be enforcing this portion of your agreement and will be updating terms early next year."

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The catch

It is important to note that they have also made it clear that streamers cannot stream on Facebook or YouTube simultaneously as it may hinder the quality of community-based interactions:

"We do not allow simulcasting on web-based, Twitch-like services that support streaming for extended periods of time, such as YouTube and Facebook, because we believe engaging with two streams at once can lead to a sub-optimal experience for your community."

However, they have made exceptions for short-form video services such as Instagram Live and TikTok where creators can go live without any restrictions:

"However, we know many of you want to use other services to grow your community, so simulcasting on short form, mobile services, such as TikTok or Instagram Live, is allowed."

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"Huge W":Twitter rejoices

Streamers have welcomed the change with open arms, posting delightful takes on Twitter and other social media platforms. Many have lauded the Amazon-owned platform for this much-celebrated progressive step:

While the move is set to allow content creators and streamers to further grow their communities, it is yet to be seen in practice. This shift also heralds a new age for streaming as Twitch acknowledges that the status quo, which cemented their position as the quintessential streaming platform, appears to be over.