Twitch is experimenting with picture-in-picture ads while Kick remains an attractive option with a 95/5 revenue split.
According to streamers like Knut and Mizkif, Twitch ad revenue is way down, possibly signaling a troubling time for streamers on the platform. While Twitch is still the leading livestreaming platform, a decrease in earnings for its streamers could change that.
On Twitch, streamers can make money in a few different ways. Ads are a portion of the income that streamers can bring home, with additional cash coming from subscriptions and donated bits. With ads being shown to all non-subscribed viewers, though, they make up a sizable chunk of many streamers’ incomes, and that makes this new claim concerning.
Now, streamer Knut has gone on-record regarding the ad revenue he’s received from streaming on Twitch, and according to him, it’s dropped dramatically. While the streamer didn’t show specifics, he made a graphic demonstrating the crash, and claimed that ad revenue was “at an all-time low.” Knut claims that he also talked to Mizkif about it, who confirmed that his own ad revenue had also diminished dramatically. Knut also noted that streaming on Kick was helpful during this downturn with Twitch.
What’s Going on With Advertising on Twitch?
Internet advertising earnings regularly fluctuate across multiple platforms, even outside of streaming. A lot of advertising consists of companies essentially bidding for a spot, which means that the cost of the ad, and thus earnings for those displaying it, can increase or drop dramatically depending on demand. This may also be the case with Twitch, but the company also experienced some controversy in late 2024 that led to many advertisers reportedly leaving the platform. Twitch was accused of antisemitism, and lost some advertisers as a result, including Chevron.
With that said, Twitch has also made some changes to the way ads on its platform work recently. The company is currently experimenting with picture-in-picture ads, which lets the stream a user is watching remain in-focus while the ad takes a smaller, picture-in-picture spot with the audio muted. The company has also recently added the ability for smaller streamers to accept subscriptions and bits from viewers, but that doesn’t help those who are already big names on the platform.
As the battle for streaming supremacy continues, Kick is continuing to offer a significant revenue split of 95/5, with the 95% going to the streamer. However, the platform adjusts earnings if streamers broadcast on multiple platforms. If Twitch advertising falls far enough, it may lead some streamers to jump ship entirely from the platform and move to a service like Kick or YouTube instead.
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By Sarah Fields 21 May 2025
