With a positive viewer experience being a fundament element of successful streaming, Twitch is putting emphasis on a reinvigorated viewer experience, which further creates an opportunity for streamer monetization. An important update is the introduction of Sound Bites, a new form of audio alert that viewers pay for from their preferred streamers. Twitch also stated that more personalization will be brought to the Cheering function so that participants can be better distinguished from one another — although the platform didn’t specify how this would be done.
Part of this year’s projects will include an improved mobile interface, allowing easier viewing from handheld devices — including the introduction of the Upcoming Streams section to the mobile app. Streamers will also be able to prioritize the content seen by their following, through the use of a new Pinned Clips section, allowing streamers to promote up to 20 clips at the top of their channels.
Twitch says that it will be expanding on its special events calendar, moving beyond global events to include “customized local initiatives,” and may introduce some form of viewer discounts based on their account activity.
