Although Twitch is currently listed as the main live streaming platform on the planet, now it has a new contender. It's all about Kick, the new streaming platform that promises to be more profitable for content creators, and that has generated many expectations.
Powered by well-known streamer Tyler “Trainwreck”, Kick aspires to become the new leading streaming platform. Something that sounds like an almost impossible task to achieve, since there are other major competitors such as YouTube or Facebook. But, with what he is promising so far, it seems that he could achieve it.
What is Kick about and how does it work?
Kick is a new streaming platform that has just been born to compete with Twitch. Who at the moment is the streaming gaming platform par excellence. Although it was launched last December in beta version, the project has been years in the making, with Tyler “Trainwreck” being one of the content creators who has supported her the most.
The best way to describe Kick is that, at its core, it's a copy of Twitch.. Yes like that! Well, literally, their format is the same. Its most distinctive factors could be said to be the color scheme, the logo and that for now its policies are more favorable.
The platform has a web page where it stands out is its main page. There it shows recommended live broadcasts according to your preferences, and where you can navigate through different categories and profiles.
In addition, It has an app for iOS and Android that is quite similar to that of Twitch. It even has a chat section on the side of the screen, and an area where you can see some recommended channels.
Differences between Kick and Twitch
The most differential points between both platforms are summarized in monetization, terms of use and advertising. Twitch offers a 50-50 profit split, meaning each creator keeps half of what they generate, while the platform keeps the other half. However, there are exceptions in the case of large streamers like Auronplay or Ibai Llanos, who keep 70% of what they generate.
In the case of Kick this has a radical change, being perhaps the main reason why many prefer it. And it is that it offers streamers the possibility of taking up to 95% of the profits they generate from their subscribers.
Regarding advertising, Tyler Trainwreck stated that Kick will have partnerships with large advertisers. This in order to generate enough profit without having to saturate the platform with ads.. In fact, there are already brands such as the well-known Italian car house Alfa Romeo and some bookmakers in the United States, which support the platform.
The problems of Kick, the new streaming platform
As in most cases, not everything is rosy, something that also happens in the case of Kick. If it is true that monetization and advertising are your strongest cover letters, It must be said that some aspects have not been viewed favorably by many.
To begin with, the few restrictions it imposes! That although, at first instance, they might seem like an absolute advantage, the reality is that it is not entirely so.
An example of this was given by the streamer Adin Ross, when he showed the well-known pornography portal PornHub in one of his direct shows, or when decided to broadcast the Super Bowl without having a license to do so. Facts before which Kick did nothing about it, since apparently he does not show moderation. However, this may be because large content creators have full freedom in this matter.
Besides, we must mention the issue with gambling, because it has been noted that Kick has a close relationship with bookmakers in the United States. Even, there are those who affirm that these companies are involved in its founding.
If we look closely, Twitch has banned the broadcast of any gambling or chance game like online poker or slots for a while. On the contrary, Kick has allied with Stake, a company that is justly blacklisted by Twitch and Amazon.
Will it last over time?
It's still too early to tell if Kick will survive the streaming war or not. For now, what you need is to keep adding great content creators to become relevant. But the early incorporation of Trainwreck and other signings such as Adin Ross, have made this new platform gain momentum.
While Kick offers creators paradise, other platforms that have promised similar things in the past have ended badly.. Such is the case of Mixer, which was known for its juicy contracts with great talents, but which ended very badly after just a couple of years.
In addition, You have to remember that Kick has to compete with big platforms like Twitch, which is backed by Amazon, YouTube owned by Google or Facebook by Meta. Technology companies with a global endorsement, and where Kick is barely presented with the support of some great content creators.
For this reason, Tyler Trainwreck has asked both creators and users to give Kick a couple of years to grow and adjust its policies. If everything ends up being fulfilled, it is obvious that the content creators will not think twice to move, since there are many positive aspects that it offers.
However, it should be noted that In these first changes, Kick has already been involved in controversy. Since the addition of advertising from bookmakers (companies not very well regarded by society) and the fact that it is not known who their real owners are, have generated mistrust about the image and origin of the platform.