Reports
2025 Yearly Live-Streaming Trends Report
Explore the Data Shaping the Future of Live Streaming
Our 2025 Live Streaming Trends Report provides a detailed look at the live-streaming market, including platform changes, genre performance, creator dynamics, and esports effects. Whether you are developing strategies, assessing opportunities, or measuring performance, this report gives you the insights you need to succeed in 2026.
What You'll Discover
Industry Growth & Big Picture Trends
Understand Live Streaming’s Growth
Live streaming viewership reached 36.4B hours in 2025, the highest total since the peak in 2021. This marks a 6% increase from last year, highlighting the medium’s strength and continued importance.
Platform Market Shifts
Learn How Platform Dynamics Changed in 2025:
- Twitch remained the largest platform but saw declining viewership for four quarters after cracking down on viewbotting mid-year.
- Kick was the fastest-growing major platform, jumping 131% year over year to 4.5B hours watched.
- YouTube Gaming had its best live year ever, with 8.8B hours viewed.
Discover what’s capturing attention
Brands that understand streaming culture grow faster.
- First-Person Shooters led all genres with 4.6B hours watched, thanks to interest in esports.
- Non-gaming content, such as Just Chatting (25%) and IRL (19%), continued to grow, making up 22% of Twitch viewership.
Esports & Competitive Viewership
New Record High
Esports viewership reached record highs in 2025, increasing 6% year over year to 2.8B hours watched. Co-streamers accounted for half of the total esports audience, changing how people consume competitive content.
How This Report Helps you
Actionable Insights for Strategy
Discover trends that guide platform focus, content planning, and audience engagement strategies for both gaming and non-gaming areas.
Benchmark Industry Performance
Compare platform performance, genre popularity, and creator impact to spot opportunities and risks in your plans.
Fuel Decisions With Data You Can Trust
This report is based on reliable analytics that support decisions for gaming publishers, brands, agencies, and esports organizers.
Need a hand?
If you want expert guidance setting up a creator or affiliate program, launching winning campaigns, or tracking your performance, we’re here to help! Reach out to Stream Hatchet’s team for tailored support and strategy—let’s turn your goals into results.
