Twitch has lifted its exclusivity agreement and now allows partners to create live content for other platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, NBC News has confirmed.
Twitch partners, who need to meet certain criteria monetizing their channel and accessing exclusive support from the platform has long been tied to an exclusivity deal that allowed them to stream only on Twitch.
In an email to some streamers on Tuesday, it was first reported by The VergeTwitch said some restrictions would be lifted.
“Starting today, you can create live content on other platforms,” reads the email, a copy of which NBC News obtained.
“When we first developed the affiliate program, we felt it was important for streamers to focus solely on Twitch for live streaming to build their communities. We still believe that Twitch is the best place for creators to build their community We’ve also recognized that the digital landscape has changed since we first introduced the Partner Program and that many of you interact with your communities in many different places.”
While Twitch will no longer enforce the exclusivity agreement, streaming on competing “web-based, Twitch-like” services that “support streaming for an extended period of time”, while also still prohibited streaming on the platform. Twitch partners can still create separate live content for the YouTube and Facebook streaming platforms, but they are still not allowed to broadcast simultaneously on those sites while using Twitch.
“We believe using two streams at once can lead to a sub-optimal experience for your community,” the email continued.
Affiliates are allowed to stream on other platforms immediately after Twitch ends, and the restrictions do not apply to short mobile platforms such as TikTok or Instagram Live.
Twitch did not immediately respond to the request for comment. Screenshots of the email were also widely shared on Twitter, and Twitch covered the changes in a FAQ.
The platform said it would answer further questions during an episode of Patch Notes on Thursday.