- TikTok Live has now overtaken Twitch in total watch hours, claiming 27% of the market in Q1 2025.
- TikTok Live’s mobile-centric content, including IRL streams and mobile eSports, has driven its rapid rise in the livestreaming rankings.
- Twitch continues to dominate gaming streams, but its total watch hours grew only slightly, with a 1-2% decline in Q1 2025.
- YouTube Live continues to hold the top spot in the industry, generating over 50% of the total livestreaming hours in Q1 2025.
- TikTok Live’s growing dominance provides new avenues for brands to leverage live engagement, including product launches and live shopping.
According to Stream Charts' Q1 2025 Global Livestreaming Landscape report, the livestreaming industry is witnessing a major shift, with TikTok Live now claiming the second spot in total watch hours, surpassing Twitch for the first time.
This marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the livestreaming space, as TikTok Live continues to grow rapidly and disrupt the market. While YouTube Live remains the leader in watch hours, TikTok’s rise is undeniable, and the Stream Charts report provides key insights into the growth trajectory of the platform, as well as broader trends in the livestreaming industry.
TikTok Live’s Surge: Surpassing Twitch in Watch Hours
In Q1 2025, TikTok Live generated over 8 billion watch hours, capturing 27% of the total watch hours across all streaming platforms. This marks a significant leap for the platform, which has now surpassed Twitch, a leader in gaming and esports streaming.
According to Stream Charts, TikTok Live’s impressive growth has been fueled by IRL content, mobile gaming, and shoppable livestreams, which have attracted millions of viewers globally.
Twitch, although still the dominant platform for gaming streams, experienced a slight decline in its watch hours by 1-2% compared to Q4 2024. TikTok Live’s ability to capture a broader audience with diverse content types—ranging from fashion to political talk shows—has helped it achieve this milestone, highlighting how platforms can thrive by expanding beyond traditional gaming.
YouTube Live Still Holds the Top Spot
Despite TikTok Live’s surge, YouTube Live remains the undisputed leader in the livestreaming market, accounting for over 50% of total watch hours in Q1 2025. Stream Charts notes that YouTube continues to dominate with non-gaming content, particularly sports, news, and politics.
While YouTube Live did see a slowdown in growth (only a 3.4% increase in Q1 2025), its market share remains unmatched in terms of overall viewership.
TikTok Live, which has a mobile-first approach, continues to carve out a niche with live shopping, influencer-led broadcasts, and mobile esports, allowing it to pull ahead of Twitch in total watch hours. The platform’s focus on mobile content positions it to potentially gain ground on YouTube Live in the future.
TikTok Live’s Content Evolution: From IRL to Mobile Esports
TikTok Live’s growth in Q1 2025 can largely be attributed to its evolution from a short-form video platform to a full-fledged livestreaming powerhouse. Stream Charts highlights that TikTok’s mobile-first focus has helped it dominate categories such as IRL content, fashion livestreams, and online gaming.
This diversified content mix makes TikTok Live particularly appealing to younger audiences who engage with the platform through their mobile devices.
The app has also benefited from the popularity of mobile esports, with games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG Mobile, and Garena Free Fire helping to boost the platform’s gaming viewership. The Free Fire World Series tournaments and Mobile Legends regional competitions have attracted millions of viewers across Asia, further cementing TikTok Live as a competitive force in the mobile gaming space.
The Rise of Kick and Other Competitors
As TikTok Live continues to grow, Kick has also emerged as a challenger in the livestreaming market. Kick has seen impressive growth, with 18% more watch hours in Q1 2025, according to Stream Charts. The platform is especially popular in the MENA region and Latin America, drawing large audiences with its mobile-first features and localized content.
Despite TikTok Live’s and Kick’s growth, platforms like Rumble and SOOP Korea have experienced more modest performance. Stream Charts notes that Rumble has found a solid niche in political streaming, while SOOP Korea has seen a dip in its numbers, particularly in the League of Legends esports scene.
Opportunities for Brands and Creators in the TikTok Live Surge
TikTok Live’s rapid rise presents new opportunities for brands to tap into the platform’s mobile-first audience. Brands can leverage TikTok Live for real-time engagement, including product launches, live shopping experiences, and brand collaborations.
The platform’s ability to engage audiences with mobile esports, fashion broadcasts, and interactive Q&A sessions makes it an ideal space for brands looking to connect with a younger demographic.
For creators, TikTok Live offers a unique monetization opportunity through gifts, sponsorships, and direct fan engagement. With TikTok’s powerful algorithm amplifying live content, creators can grow their reach quickly and engage with their communities on a more personal level.
TikTok Live's Bold Rise: A New Era for Livestreaming
As TikTok Live surpasses Twitch in total watch hours, the platform’s ascent highlights a broader shift in the livestreaming industry. With mobile-first content, live shopping, and mobile esports at the forefront of TikTok Live’s strategy, the platform is now positioned as a major competitor to both YouTube Live and Twitch.
For creators, brands, and marketers, TikTok Live presents new opportunities to engage with audiences and build interactive, real-time experiences that drive engagement and growth. With continued growth on the horizon, TikTok Live’s success will likely redefine the livestreaming industry in 2025 and beyond.
