The Streaming Platforms: The Hero Behind Esports' Rise to Mainstream Success

Streaming platforms are integral to the esports ecosystem, enabling gamers and game publishers to broadcast live content and directly engage with a large fan base and viewership. They play a vital role in facilitating value transfer within the esports industry, serving as the main arena for gamers to showcase their gameplay and for publishers to stream esports competitions to a diverse global audience. It’s the “chosen” platform because this is where esports enthusiasts are. The revenue generated by streaming platforms is derived from a combination of advertising spending, subscription fees, and sometimes virtual currency transactions. However, there's room for improvement in maximizing the value they provide from the financial perspective.

Looking ahead, streaming platforms will maintain a crucial role, given that viewership remains the driving force behind the esports industry, and streaming platforms are the closest player to the viewers in the esports ecosystem. Gamers and game publishers must heavily leverage streaming platforms to build a community with the massive viewership, as they offer a much more dynamic experience compared to social media, with live interaction. Additionally, the fan experience of watching games on streaming platforms worldwide is pivotal for fostering the esports industry's ongoing expansion.

Reference

Perez, M. (2020). Report: Amazon’s Twitch not meeting ad revenue expectations. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattperez/2020/01/08/report-amazons-twitch-not-meeting-ad-revenueexpectations