ReportStream Hatchet
Save Point 2024: Recapping the Year's Biggest Trends in Live Streaming
1 Jan 202454 pages~27 min full read
The live streaming industry shifted toward a creator-led, multi-platform model in 2024, characterized by widespread simulcasting and the rise of alternative platforms like Kick following Twitch’s withdrawal from the Korean market.
See it on page 51Co-streaming has become a dominant force in competitive gaming, now accounting for nearly 45 percent of total esports viewership.
See it on page 33Large-scale, non-gaming spectacles like La Velada del Año 4 demonstrated that independent creators can now command millions of concurrent viewers, rivaling traditional broadcast media.
See it on page 35Mobile esports solidified its status as a global powerhouse in 2024, highlighted by the significant viewership performance of the Esports World Cup.
See it on page 31Transmedia adaptations, such as the Fallout series, proved highly effective at revitalizing interest in specific gaming titles and driving viewer retention.
See it on page 26Content diversification beyond gaming—including political commentary, music programming, and high-production IRL events—has become essential for sustaining long-term audience growth.
See it on page 3Brands are increasingly leveraging direct integration strategies, such as Twitch Drops, to embed themselves into the interactive viewer experience.
See it on page 45The live streaming industry in 2024 underwent a fundamental transformation characterized by decentralization and the diversification of content beyond traditional gaming. As platforms like Kick experienced explosive growth and new services emerged to fill regional voids left by Twitch’s departure from Korea, the ecosystem shifted toward a multi-platform approach. Creators increasingly utilized simulcasting to expand their reach, while high-production marathons and global IRL content became the primary drivers of audience engagement. This evolution reflects a broader move away from platform exclusivity toward a creator-led model where individual influence dictates viewership patterns.
Esports and competitive gaming remained central to the industry’s success, though the nature of consumption changed significantly. Co-streaming emerged as a dominant force, accounting for nearly 45 percent of all esports viewership, while mobile esports solidified its status as a global powerhouse, particularly during the Esports World Cup. Simultaneously, the industry benefited from a strong synergy between transmedia adaptations and gaming, as film and television projects like Fallout revitalized interest in specific titles. The rise of VTubers and the enduring popularity of RPGs and nostalgia-driven remakes further sustained high levels of viewer retention throughout the year.
Beyond gaming, the landscape expanded to include political commentary, music-focused programming, and massive independent events that rivaled traditional broadcast media. Large-scale spectacles, such as La Velada del Año 4, demonstrated the potential for creators to command millions of concurrent viewers outside of established gaming frameworks. Brands successfully capitalized on these shifts by integrating directly into the viewer experience through strategic initiatives like Twitch Drops. Ultimately, the industry in 2024 proved that long-term growth is now tethered to the ability to blend interactive community engagement with diverse, multi-genre content that transcends the traditional boundaries of the gaming sector.
