Updated Mar 17, 2026 by Stream Hatchet
Live streaming viewership reached 8.9 billion hours in Q1 2025, marking an 8.9% year-over-year increase and the highest level since 2021.
Twitch remains the market leader with a 59% share, though its viewership declined by 6.9% year-over-year compared to Q1 2024.
Kick experienced significant growth with a 112% year-over-year increase in hours watched, securing an 8.6% market share.
Non-gaming content is the fastest-growing category, recording a 25.6% year-over-year jump in viewership, with Kick, Chzzk, and SOOP Korea each seeing roughly 94% growth in this segment.
Esports viewership fell 2.3% year-over-year due to a 53% reduction in the number of tournaments held since 2023, though viewership per event remains strong at 1.8 million hours.
YouTube Gaming holds a 21.7% market share, bolstered by a 25% year-over-year increase in hours watched following the closure of Twitch in South Korea.
Kick's language demographics have shifted significantly, with Arabic now the top language after a 491% year-over-year increase, while English viewership on the platform declined by 20%.
Live streaming viewership reached 8.9 billion hours in Q1 2025, marking an 8.9% year-over-year increase and the highest level since 2021.
Twitch remains the market leader with a 59% share, though its viewership declined by 6.9% year-over-year compared to Q1 2024.
Kick experienced significant growth with a 112% year-over-year increase in hours watched, securing an 8.6% market share.
Non-gaming content is the fastest-growing category, recording a 25.6% year-over-year jump in viewership, with Kick, Chzzk, and SOOP Korea each seeing roughly 94% growth in this segment.
Esports viewership fell 2.3% year-over-year due to a 53% reduction in the number of tournaments held since 2023, though viewership per event remains strong at 1.8 million hours.
YouTube Gaming holds a 21.7% market share, bolstered by a 25% year-over-year increase in hours watched following the closure of Twitch in South Korea.
Kick's language demographics have shifted significantly, with Arabic now the top language after a 491% year-over-year increase, while English viewership on the platform declined by 20%.