Twitch Recap, Kai Cenat's Record, Myth Returns, and TwitterX Hates Links

December, here we are! The next few weeks are relatively busy in the streaming creator space as platforms finish projects before holiday breaks. So, expect to see a flurry of activity—especially from Twitch. That's no exception for me, as I have a bunch of things I'm working on related to this newsletter and my stream for the new year (and I was sidelined this week with the flu/covid). But, considering I lost a week, I've got to catch up! So, let's cut the intro here and jump into the recap!

Platform Updates

🟪 TWITCH

• These two pixel heart badges can be unlocked through charitable donations during Together for Good.
• Twitch Recap 2024 will be launching soon. Once launched, it should be available here.
• Kai Cenat wrapped up his month-long subathon, setting a new record at over 728,000 subscribers.
• Multiple categories got updated cover art.
• For the first time, Twitch has allowed a user to reclaim a former username after changing it. Historically, if you change your username - that name is forever dead.
• CommanderRoot shared a visualization of Twitch's ingest backend server distribution.
• Sneak Peek: Shared Viewership will soon launch as part of Guest Star/Shared Chat. Also, there will be an experiment to use your earnings as a creator to pay for Subs/Bits, etc.

🟥 YOUTUBE

• If you're a YouTube Music user, they've launched a 2024 Music Recap akin to Spotify's annual recap.
• Similarly, if you're a regular user of YouTube Gaming, you can check out your 2024 Gaming Recap on mobile.
• YouTube posted a letter that Susan Wojcicki had written in the last weeks of her life.

⬛ TIKTOK

• TikTok Live's Gimme the Mic contest announced the winners for 2024.
• A Creator Manager at TikTok shared 10 tips for creating successful long-form content on the platform.

🟦 TWITTER X

• A new Live screen with a larger player is rolling out. It will show your most recent stream.
• Elon Musk effectively admitted that if you post content with links outside of Twitter, the content is throttled. Something we all knew, but now at least confirmed.
• Premium users can now see their Verified Follower count on Twitter.

🔲 OTHERS

• Noice has undergone a platform redesign with improved UI, more controls, and other updates.
• Kick has updated its community safety tools. You can now limit chat based on account age, remove clips when banning chatters, and gamble content can only be streamed by ID-verified users.
• Solana's Memecoin factory PumpFun paused its livestreaming after various controversial streams.