TimTheTatman, DrLupo and LIRIK, some of the biggest names in the streaming industry, have each announced that they have re-signed with Twitch.
The announcements come at a time when many top Twitch streamers are signing deals with competing platforms. Recent switch-ups include CouRageJD's recent move to YouTube, Disgusted Toast's move to Facebook Gaming and most notably, Ninja's move to Mixer.
As more companies invest in gaming and livestreaming services, the competition is fierce in an industry that continues to grow rapidly. And, with millions of viewers' attention at stake, companies are betting big dollars on influential names to remain the driving forces of viewer engagement.
Rod "Slasher" Breslau was the first to share via Twitter that today's surprise announcements would involve each of the streamers' decisions to stay with Twitch. Since losing some of its bigger streamers, the platform has taken a hit in terms of engagement and reach.
The industry insider suggested money was a major factor.
It's likely brand and community considerations played a role as well. After losing so many prominent streamers over the past few months, it's possible the platform has become more flexible in its dealings with its top talent.
Regarding his decision, DrLupo pointed to the fact that Twitch has the most viewers of all the game streaming platforms.
"Taking what you have given me and my family and using it for good is one of the most important things I feel like I can do," he told his stream viewers after the announcement.
DrLupo, TimTheTatman and LIRIK were preceded by DrDisRespect, who also committed to streaming on Twitch after Ninja revealed his move to Mixer. Ninja's move was soon followed by a move by another one of Twitch's most popular streamers, Shroud.
Of Ninja's move to Mixer, Jessica Blevins, the streamer's manager and wife, told Business Insider he made the choice in order to protect his brand over the long term. Twitch was inflexible with regard to the licensing deals he'd built up over time, and the company's terms for renewal would have left Ninja "unable to grow his brand much outside gaming.”
DrLupo and TimTheTatman are both primarily known as Fortnite streamers. Prior to streaming Fortnite on a regular basis, DrLupo originally grew his platform playing and streaming Destiny. He now has more than 3.6 million followers on this Twitch channel. TimTheTatman originally gained traction among the Twitch community playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and now has more than 4.1 million followers.
LIRIK started his streaming career playing World of Warcraft but grew among Twitch audiences playing DayZ. He has amassed more than 2.5 million followers on the platform.
While fans speculated that TimTheTatman and DrLupo would use today to announce a move to a new platform, that seemed unlikely given a number of forthcoming charity initiatives that are tied to DrLupo's Twitch channel and brand.
Twitch and its employees have been under fire lately as streamers have continuously voiced their frustrations with inconsistent ban policies that, in some cases, appear to show favoritism and bias.