Twitch, with its legion of gamers and content creators, has taken the online world by storm. But is all that glitters gold, or is there more to the story? Is Twitch profitable? Are they raking in the dough year after year? You’re probably brimming with questions like these.

In this article, we’ll dive into the numbers, dissect the trends, and reveal the year-over-year insights that will shed light on Twitch’s financial success. Let’s embark on an exciting journey to uncover the business results of this gaming and streaming giant.
Twitch: A Brief Overview
The company Twitch is a popular live streaming platform primarily focused on video game streaming and related content. It was launched in 2011 and has since evolved into a vibrant community of gamers, content creators, and viewers. In 2014, Amazon acquired Twitch, solidifying its position as a leading platform in the gaming and live streaming industry.
Users can broadcast their gameplay, interact with their audience in real-time through chat, and explore a wide range of content, including eSports tournaments, music, art, and more.
Before proceeding further into its financials, let’s have a brief overview of the company-
Name of the Company | Twitch |
Industry | Video Live Streaming |
Operating Segment | Video Game streaming, e-sports, Live streaming |
Headquarters | San Francisco (California, USA) |
Founded | June 6, 2011 |
Founders | • Justin Kan • Emmett Shear • Michael Seibel • Kyle Vogt • Kevin Lin |
CEO | Dan Clancy |
Parent Company | Amazon (Acquired in 2014) |
Popular Games | Fortnite, League of Legends, Among Us, etc |
Monetization | Advertising, subscriptions, donations |
Revenue Earned | $2.8 million |
Competitors | YouTube Gaming, Facebook Gaming, DLive, Trovo, Nimo TV, etc. |
Twitch’s dynamic and interactive platform has transformed how people engage with video games and content on online platforms. Thus, it became a major player in the world of live streaming and online entertainment.
YOY Key Statistics of Twitch
Let’s look at the key stats of Twitch for the last five years–
Year | Revenue | Average Concurrent Viewers | Monthly Streamers | Hours of Content Consumed |
2022 | $2.8 billion | 2.58 million | 7.6 million | 22.4 billion |
2021 | $2.6 billion | 2.78 million | 9 million | 22.8 billion |
2020 | $1.8 billion | 2.12 million | 6.9 million | 18.6 billion |
2019 | $1.2 billion | 1.26 million | 3.6 million | 11 billion |
2018 | $880 million | 1.07 million | 3.3 million | 9.3 billion |
These statistics underscore Twitch’s prominent position in the online streaming industry and its significant influence on digital entertainment.
In 2022, Twitch achieved substantial financial success, amassing an estimated $2.8 billion in revenue. With an average of 2.58 million concurrent viewers, it demonstrated its widespread appeal and diverse content offerings. The platform also boasted an active community, with 7.6 million users streaming monthly. Impressively, users spent a collective 22.4 billion hours on Twitch in 2022.
Thus, these data showcase Twitch’s ability to engage audiences for extended periods.
Revenue Sources: How does Twitch make money?
Before jumping into the answer to the question- Is Twitch profitable? Let’s look into the revenue source of Twitch-
Revenue Sources of Twitch | Description |
Advertisements | Revenue from ads on streams, and sponsorships. |
Subscriptions | Monthly support from viewers to streamers. |
Bits | Viewer donations in virtual currency |
Donations | Direct contributions to streamers |
Affiliate Marketing | Streamer earnings through affiliate deals. |
Twitch Prime | Subscription service with shared revenue |
Licensing and Partnerships | Exclusive content and events partnerships |
Merchandise Sales | Sales of Twitch-branded products |
Virtual Goods and Emotes | Sales of virtual items and chat emotes |
Twitch’s diverse revenue streams contribute to its financial success. They provide various ways for both the platform and its content creators to generate income.
Twitch: Uncovering YOY Business Results
Uncovering year-over-year (YOY) business results is essential as it provides valuable insights into a company’s financial health, growth trajectory, and overall performance over time. YOY comparisons allow businesses to track their progress, identify trends, and make informed strategic decisions. They help in assessing the effectiveness of business strategies, understanding market dynamics, and evaluating the impact of external factors.
In the case of Twitch, analyzing its YOY results enables us to gauge the platform’s financial stability and its ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of online streaming. It also provides viewers, content creators, and investors with a deeper understanding of Twitch’s evolving role in the digital entertainment industry.
In the previous section, we delved into the numbers and trends that shaped Twitch’s journey in the past years. Here we will uncover the YOY business results of Twitch-
Year | Revenue | Profits |
2022 | $2.8 billion | $1.6-2.2 billion |
2021 | $2.6 billion | $1.1-1.7 billion |
2020 | $1.8 billion | $340-940 billion |
2019 | $1.2 billion | $30-60 million |
According to some sources, Twitch generated approximately $2.8 billion in revenue in 2022. This was an increase from $1.8 billion in 2020. Also, the expenses lie between $600 million to $1200 million.
However, the exact profit of Twitch is not publicly disclosed, as it is part of Amazon’s larger business.
Some estimates suggest that Twitch’s operating expenses, which include data traffic, servers, salaries, and marketing, may range from $50 million to $100 million per month. Therefore, it is possible that Twitch is profitable, but not by a large margin.
Is Twitch Profitable?
Yes, Twitch is profitable. According to reports, Twitch made an estimated revenue of $2.8 billion in 2022. Additionally, Twitch had an average of 2.58 million concurrent viewers during that year. These statistics indicate the financial success of the platform. Twitch’s business model, which includes monetization strategies, contributes to its profitability. With its large user base and revenue generation capabilities, Twitch has established itself as a profitable platform in the streaming industry.
Note: We have also explained the Business Model of Discord, a gaming communication and social media platform. Check it out for more information.
Conclusion
In the journey of uncovering Twitch’s year-over-year business results, it’s evident that Twitch is not only profitable but has experienced substantial growth over the years. The revenue trend shows a consistent upward trajectory, with 2022 marking a remarkable milestone at $2.8 billion. Concurrently, the platform has managed to maintain a strong and engaged viewership, with 2.58 million viewers in 2022.
Moreover, the steady increase in monthly streamers and the staggering 22.4 billion hours of content consumed in 2022 demonstrate Twitch’s enduring appeal and financial stability. This data unequivocally affirms this fact.
Twitch has not only found success but continues to thrive in the competitive world of online streaming!