Today, 3 streamers from the top 20 on Twitch announced almost simultaneously that they are staying on the platform and not switching. They are Lirik, DrLupo, and TimTheTatman. Behind this is likely a deal with a major agency that represents almost all important streamers. It is said to involve millions of US dollars per year.
This was announced: This evening, almost at the same time, 3 major Twitch streamers announced that they would be staying on Twitch and not switching:
- DrLupo announced it at 19:01 – he is number 9 among active Twitch channels by followers
- Lirik released his statement at 19:04 – he is number 20 on Twitch
- TimTheTatman announced his stay on Twitch at 19:06 – he has the fifth largest active Twitch channel
It is certainly no coincidence, but a coordinated action when 3 of the 20 largest streamers on Twitch announce their stay.
The remarkable thing is that sports journalist and leaker, Rod Breslau, had predicted exactly this at 6 PM. He had been informed by sources that the 3 would extend. Just as it turned out.
Major agency plays “Streamer switch or not”
What was the leak? Breslau said that these 3 streamers had signed “multi-year deals” in the amount of “millions of US dollars per year.”
Behind the deal is allegedly the agency “Loaded,” which represents almost all major streamers. This includes 3 streamers who have recently switched:
- Tyler “Ninja” Blevins went to Mixer
- Michael “shroud” Grzesiek also went to Mixer
- CouRage switched to YouTube
These are the 3 streamers who are now staying on Twitch:
Benjamin “DrLupo” Lupo (32) began his career as a streamer for Destiny, then joined the battle royale wave with H1Z1, PUBG, and ultimately Fortnite. He often teamed up with Tyler “Ninja” Blevins. DrLupo is relatively old for a Twitch streamer at 32 (he sometimes gets called OK Boomer) and sometimes takes on an educational role towards his viewers.
DrLupo is often involved in charitable activities.
DrLupo has 3.7 million followers on Twitch – last year he primarily played Fortnite (1422 hours) but also Escape From Tarkov (376 hours).
Timothy “TimTheTatman” John Betar is 29 years old and a variety streamer with a penchant for shooters. His rise began with Fortnite; like DrLupo, he belongs to Ninja’s circle. He is also not an exceptionally strong professional player, but rather an entertainer.
Viewers like him for his down-to-earth style and good-natured humor. Often, TimTheTatman is the target of quips from others, but he can also deliver some himself. He has a bit of a feud going with DrDisrespect.
TimTheTatman has 4.1 million followers on Twitch. Last year, he was especially active in Fortnite (876 hours), but also spent time in Just Chatting (262 hours) and WoW (216 hours).
Saqib “Lirik” Zahiid (29) is actually part of a different clique, but apparently shares the same agency as the other two who are now staying with Twitch. Lirik has been active on Twitch for a long time, since 2011. He started with WoW and DayZ. However, he is now a consistent variety streamer who does not have a main game but explores a lot of games.
Lirik has 2.5 million followers on Twitch. Last year, he played GTA Online (176 hours), Apex Legends (141 hours), and WoW (81 hours).
Lirik also played Star Citizen.
What’s behind it: This is “The Empire Strikes Back” in the streaming world. Other platforms like Mixer, YouTube, and Facebook are attacking, and Twitch is now firmly holding onto three of its established streamers from the first tier.
Surely, the departures of Ninja and shroud have led to the streamers now earning significantly more than before.
