twitch

Twitch is a live streaming platform focused on video game content and other creative fields. It was founded in 2011 by Justin Kan, Emmett Shear, Michael Aragon, and Justin Khan as a spin-off of the general-interest site Justin.tv, and relaunched as Twitch.tv in 2011. In 2014, Amazon acquired Twitch Interactive for approximately $970 million, integrating it into its video services. Twitch hosts streams across categories including gaming, esports, music, talk shows, and creative arts, with viewers watching live and interacting via real-time chat.

Streamers broadcast with software such as OBS or Streamlabs; viewers can subscribe, cheer with Bits, donate, and access perks via Prime Gaming; partner and affiliate programs unlock monetization features; channel raids and hosting help creators grow audiences. Twitch provides features like emotes, extensions, and moderation tools; it supports a range of devices including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and game consoles, and is accessible via a web interface.

There is a strong emphasis on community moderation and safety, with policies governing copyright, harassment, and harmful content; DMCA enforcement and takedown requests have shaped streaming practices. The platform has become a central part of online gaming culture and the broader streaming ecosystem, with millions of concurrent viewers and diverse content creators.