The look of streaming audio and video in 2021 is a monster. You will see the turquoise blue line in the attached visual is Sports.......up a whopping 1,222% over one year.

We like that at Twitch Sports! We are thrilled to be adding great UGC (User Generated Content) in the months ahead - stay tuned......and if you want to be involved, reach out to me for details.

The State Of The Stream comes from StreamElements and Rainmaker.gg. The report shows Facebook Gaming hit a new high of 533M hours watched. Twitch nabbed 1.8 BILLION hours watched in July - a 23% year over year increase. (or about 205,000 years of watching Twitch in July).

Music, Sports and Art categories on Twitch had incredible numbers........Music +325%, Art up 149% and Sports up 1,222%!

Let's expand on that......Imagine if your business increases 1,220%. You would be a pretty happy camper. That's what is happening with Sports on Twitch. A massive movement to Sports - watch parties, side-casting and watch-alongs. It's really exciting. And with NFL returning in 9 days.....look out!

I love this video. Great points on how to grab even more audience with sports coverage on Twitch.

You would think with the world venturing to some mode of normalcy - okay slightly towards normal - there would have been a drop in viewing, but.....no....not at all. In fact Twitch saw a 23% increase in viewing to 1.8 BILLION hours watched in July. Crazy!

So, you've decided to jump on Twitch. Think about these trends as you get to work.

Okay, I promised I would be nicer to radio in these newsletters. This monthly mission is directed mainly at the management of radio companies, some staff, and those in the media biz. It is sent to over 700 industry influencers. The push is for decision-makers in media companies and talent looking to expand their brand - the goal is for them to catch a glimpse of what I see in terms of the future for radio talent (I believe radio has the best talent in the world). Radio must expand the brand, it has to build, and expose talent in new directions, looking for opportunities and platforms. Twitch being a long-form medium with perfect tools to grab and hold a P1.......is a very nice fit.

So, when I'm a bit 'jabby' at radio, it's just frustration. I see radio waiting and waiting and cutting staff and waiting and then thinking about a digital strategy and waiting more. (sigh).

My message to radio......Do what you are doing on radio now.....then add Twitch.....it IS that easy. You will expand your audience/brand and make more money. As for waiting to decide on a platform? Don't overthink it......every day you are not on a platform such as Twitch is another day you are behind. Myself and the team would be more than happy to work with you in creating your Twitch presence and teach staff the best practices.

Okay.....Fred Jacobs from Jacobs Media held a webinar on Aug 25th. I tuned in with hundreds of others to find out what the real people of radio had to say about the industry.....and it was big! This is a MUST watch - a real eye opener. You think I'm not nice to radio....those IN radio have some choice feelings. Great job by Fred Jacobs and his team.

Anyway.....I decide to be friendlier to the platform that gave me 20+ amazing years and great friendships. I read from Nielsen that radio tuning is at a 16 month peak.....yay! For radios sake, I hope the commute is long and full of stops and starts.

All is good and then Radio does this.......

Nielsen announces new PPM wearables (see pic above).

In a world where I can be pinged if someone who tested positive for COVID, walked near me on a street in San Francisco, through notification to my phone, Nielsen wishes for radio listeners to wear a freaking watch! COME ON! This technology is 20 years old already!

I have several Twitch channels, that are also radio shows, that receive their ratings immediately after the show - no watch wearing - no waiting months......INSTANT ratings everyday........through Twitchtracker.com. Nielsen...you could have done better.

(Sorry Ross. I tried...I really did. I almost made it)

The Twitch App had a few downloads last month....... Twitch had 22 million - a 66% rise. (The Deets From HypeBot.com)

Hosting and Raiding other Twitch channels builds great relationships and brings in new viewers to both channels. Here's how you do it courtesy of TheGamer.

Polls on Twitch are a great way to engage your audience. I highly recommend them. Here's a link from Alphr on how to do them. How To Make A Poll On Twitch . Channels that run polls have 10% more viewers engaging when chat is visible.

You can email your Subscriber list directly from Twitch. A terrific way to tell your most important fans what is going on with you and your Twitch show. Take advantage of it. It works!

Friday at 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET is the best day and time to be on Twitch. You will hit the maximum number of viewers on the platform in that window.

You Tube recently copied Twitch on a few features. Still Twitch is the dominant streaming platform. Here's some deets for ya from Esports.net

If you can get your viewers to watch you for a minimum of 5 minutes, there is a 30% chance that viewer will be back tomorrow. Get them to comment in the chatroom and that increases even more.

BOTS aren't all bad. Check these ones out from Dot Esports. The Best NightBot Commands and here is more on Bots - The best chat BOTS.

Here are some tips from Lifehacker on how to build a bigger following on Twitch. Build A Bigger Following.

Coming from a guy that has made millions off the platform, this is a damn fine endorsement for Twitch. Also, Ninja has ventured away from Twitch - went to Mixer - and then back to Twitch now......so he kinda knows. read it now.

BSM - Jason Barrett and Barrett Sports Media does a great job of covering the stories in sports media. He has a good team of writers and reporters.

Rob Taylor jumped on the Twitch and Sports Radio vibe and did a fantastic job. One thing you will discover is the move to Twitch - the importance of the platform for Sports Radio - and the discussions in the (virtual) boardrooms must be strong these days.

Special mention to Alex Rajaniemi and Dave Tepper - both worked hard in bringing this to life and now Altitude Sports 92.5 is seeing nice increases in young demos.

Twitch took a giant leap into platform super stardom during the pandemic. It WAS already moving quickly upwards but the stay-at-home order blew it up.

Now, as Twitch expands into Sports with sports athletes, journalists, podcasters jumping onto the platform and NFL Thursday Night Football coming to Amazon Prime, look out!!!!!

So, here's a link to get you in the know......you know, so you know what Twitch is. It's kinda like being one of the cool kids when you talk emotes, raids and bits.

Read it all right here courtesy Influencive......you can thank me later.

2VStream launched their Swag Shop and it looks killer! Here's the deal....you put no money out - you provide the logo and pick the gear.....and.....BAM! You make money. It's that simple. Quick turnaround and quality product. Here is the link to use: https://www.radioswagshop.com/ref/2/

Fill out the "Start Now" form and expand your brand on many items. (THIS IS FOR U.S. CLIENTS ONLY). Canadian clients will use Streamlabs Merch.

Adam Epstein of Quartz did a great job on this. It's everything you need to know about Twitch - the entire history and the numbers......and they are astonishing.

As Radio, TV, and Sports talent look to expand their brand.....this article makes it an easy decision on why Twitch should be the preferred choice.

I will leave that with you......read on.