Kick Streaming: Everything You Should Know About Twitch’s New Competitor

If you love to watch your favorite streamers play games, chat, and more, chances are that you have probably heard of Kick, the new and so-called ‘Creator-friendly’ streaming services provider. There has been a lot of buzz around Kick Streaming, some even calling it a strong competitor to Twitch and YouTube Live. 

Despite gaining immense popularity among streamers and gamers, Kick is yet to rival YouTube and Twitch in terms of viewership and channels. As technology explorers, we’re always on the lookout for new platforms that hold the potential to revolutionize the tech industry. 

So, if you’re still unaware of this popular yet controversial video streaming platform and unsure where to get started, then this blog post will guide you throughout the process. Through this blog, we will answer some frequently asked questions to help you navigate the nitty gritty of this new streaming platform.  

What Is Kick Streaming?

Kick is a state-of-the-art video streaming platform that has been making headlines since its launch in late 2022. The platform works similarly to already-existed streaming platforms like YouTube Live, Twitch, and Facebook Live, allowing streamers to broadcast live videos for viewers in real-time. 

Kick is often denoted as a creator-friendly streaming platform as it takes a lower percentage of their income than other platforms like Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook. It also has more flexible and clear rules about what kind of content is allowed. 

If you visit kick.com, you might experience its UI very similar to Twitch. Kick also has live videos sorted into various categories. Among them, one of the most popular categories is Slots and Casinos, which are banned on Twitch. 

Some of the other categories on Kick are IRL streaming, music, creative arts, and alternative streams. The platform also has a feature that enables creators to play games with their friends or teammates, even if they are not in the same place.

Who is the Kick Streaming Owner?

Kick has the support of Stake’s founders, Bijan Tehrani and Ed Craven. Stake.com is a site where people can gamble online, and many of the content makers on Kick advertise it a lot. There is some confusion about who actually owns Kick. Some sources say that Tehrani and Craven are just investors, while others say they have more involvement in the company. 

Tyler “Trainwreckstv” Nikman is a streamer who is seen as one of the main faces and promoters of Kick. It is not clear if Trainwreckstv has any shares in the company or if he is just paid by the platform to advertise. One sure thing is that Stake is putting money into the platform and sponsoring many of the creators on it. 

At the same time, Corinna Kopf, a social media star who joined Kick, is often seen promoting gambling on Stake. On her Instagram, the only thing she highlights is Stake. 

There is a lot of discussion about whether Kick is just a way to promote Stake or not. Not all of the creators are linked to Stake, and not all of them advertise the gambling site. But there is no doubt that Stake has a big influence on Kick.

Is Kick Safe for Streamers and Audiences?

Kick live streaming platform is safe, even if it has some questionable ways and methods of operating. While it doesn’t have the footfall or the popularity of YouTube or Twitch yet, it’s definitely on the rise. 

But that doesn’t mean that Kick.com is not secure. On the contrary – it’s a very secure, regulated, and authentic platform with transparent terms of service, a well-explained help section, and a customer support function. 

Kick emerges as a safe option for both streamers and viewers, who enjoy its quality and variety of content. The site has clear and firm policies for streamers, which prohibit them from broadcasting anything unlawful or inappropriate. Kick also respects the safety and preferences of its viewers, by enforcing no-nudity rules and providing parental control options.

What Can be Streamed on Kick?

Kick allows its users to stream in different genres and categories based on their viewer's themes. Here are the main sections that you can find on Kick:

• Games: In this section, you can watch streams of different games that are popular on the platform. You can see e-sports competitions, solo adventures, multiplayer matches, and more. The games are similar to those that you can find on Twitch.
• IRL: If you want to chat with streamers and viewers about everyday topics, you can check out this section. You can find categories like Just Chatting, Pools, Hot Tubs & Bikinis, News, ASMR, Travel & Outdoors, and more. You can join the conversations or just listen to what others have to say.
• Music: In this category, you can watch streams of various music-related themes. You can see live performances by artists, DJ sets, acoustic sessions, guitar lessons, and even dance classes. You can also listen to music playlists of different genres that can accompany you while you work or study.
• Gambling: the gambling streaming section on Kick allows streamers to stream different categories such as Slots and casinos, Poker, Sports Betting, and more. The content here is mostly for adults who are 18+.
• Creative: You can watch streams of categories such as ART, Makers & Crafting, Video Production, Body Art, and more. You can see people showing their skills in drawing, programming, crafts, music production, and more.
• Alternative: In this section, you can find categories that do not fit into other sections. For example, there is a category called Just Sleeping. Streamers who fall asleep on a stream choose it. You can also watch Watch Party streams, where streamers watch movies, TV shows, or anime with their viewers.

Kick vs Twitch: What are the Key Differences?

At a glance, both Twitch and Kick looks very similar. However, there are several key differences between these two popular streaming platforms. 

To help you navigate the differences, here’s a side-by-side comparison table between Kick ve Twitch:

How much is the User Count on Kick?

Kick is rapidly gaining recognition as the most popular streaming platform, but it needs to go far to match the statistics of Twitch.

Does Kick Pay Streamers?

Yes, Kick pays a high payout rate for streamers – they get to keep 95% of the money they earn from subscriptions. This is much better than Twitch’s 50/50 split and even surpasses YouTube’s 70/30 ratio. 

On top of that, streamers also don’t have to share any of the tips (or ‘kicks’) they receive from their viewers, as Kick doesn’t charge any commission or transfer fee. Kick is also experimenting with a Creator Incentive Program, where streamers are paid by the hour for their streams. This program is not widely available yet, so the eligibility criteria are still unknown. 

But Kick has confirmed that streamers who participate in the Kick Creator Incentive Program will still retain 95% of their income.

What are Kick’s Conditions for Streamers?

Kick’s streamer-friendly conditions are what makes a huge difference in the online streaming industry. For instance, content creators can get up to 95% of the revenue from subscriptions, which is much more than other platforms. 

Also, on Kick, streamers can stream in 4K resolution, which means they can deliver high-quality content to their viewers no matter what their partnership level is. 

Besides the high percentage, Kick also lets its streamers keep 100% of the viewer’s “tips” (also known as kicks). The platform does not take any commission for transferring these funds and pays them on the same day. 

At the same time, Kick also has the Creator Program, which rewards streamers for every hour of streaming. The payment depends on the number of hours of streaming, as well as a fixed rate for 1,000 ad impressions, the average number of viewers, the audience’s demographic data, and their involvement in the stream. 

The better financial conditions, as well as the more relaxed rules, are the main reasons why some streamers from other platforms have started thinking about switching to Kick.

Are there any Broadcasting Rules for Streamers on Kick?

As a streaming platform, Kick has some guidelines that streamers need to follow. For instance, streamers should not engage in any hate speech, discrimination, violence, or sexual harassment. They should also avoid using profanity or infringing on the rights of others. 

Here are some more specific rules for Kick streamers:

• The content of the broadcast should follow the platform's rules, and no violence, discrimination, insults, indecency, or plagiarism are allowed.
• The streamers should not cheat or scam their viewers, or engage in any illegal activities such as piracy, extortion, etc.
• The streamers should not promote or use any drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or other banned substances.
• The streamers should not threaten or harm other users or platform staff in any way.
• The streamers should respect the privacy of their viewers and not reveal their personal information without their consent.
• The streamers should not use any hacks, bots, or other software that can give them an unfair advantage in the game.
• The streamers should not spread any religious, political, or racial messages that can cause conflict or division.
• The streamers should abide by the laws and not use any content that belongs to someone else without their permission.
• The streamers should not use the Kick platform for any unlawful purposes.
• The Kick platform has the authority to delete or suspend a streamer's account if they break any of the platform rules.

Is It Possible to Stream NSFW Content on Kick?

Kick allows some sexual content on its platform, as it does not have a very strict moderation process. However, it still has some basic community rules that prohibit things like violence, drugs, fraud, discrimination, and violating copyrights. You can choose to hide any sexual content by turning on a switch that blocks it.

On the other hand, Twitch has a very rigid policy that forbids any NSFW content, including nudity. This has caused some trouble for some streamers, who have had their content removed from Twitch unfairly, even though they did not show any of the ‘prohibited’ themes.

How to Make Money on Kick?

Kick allows its users to make money in various ways, including 

• Sell Pay-Per-View (PPV) Streams.
• Offer Related Services.
• Find a Live Stream Sponsor.
• Create and Sell Your Products.
• Ask For Tips or Pledges.
• Sell Branded Merchandise.
• Join An Affiliate Program.

Among them, the best way to make money on Kick is to join its affiliate program. But to do that, you need to have at least 75 followers and 5 hours of streaming time. As a Kick Affiliate, you can ask your viewers to pay for a subscription to your channel. The usual price of a Kick subscription is about $4.99 per month, so if you have 1,000 followers, you can make around $4,750 after Kick takes its share.

Is there any Advertising Available on Kick?

The only way to advertise on Kick is through banner ads. There are no other options for monetizing your content on the platform. We think that they will introduce ads within the videos as the platform expands. On the other hand, Twitch has a strong and proven advertising system.

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How to Download Kick Streaming App?

As mentioned earlier, Kick allows you to watch live broadcasts of your favorite creators, chat with them, and support them with donations. Whether you are interested in gaming, music, art, or lifestyle, you can find something for you on Kick.

To download the Kick streaming app, you need to follow these simple steps:

• Go to the official Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store. 
• Search for ‘Kick’ in the search bar and download the app. 
• Follow the instructions to install the app on your device.
• Launch the app and sign up.
• Enjoy watching and interacting with your favorite streamers on Kick.

How to Stream on Kick?

Now that you have understood a much about Kick, you might want to try doing live streams on the platform. Luckily, broadcasting on Kick is not much different from how to stream on Twitch. 

Here are some simple steps to be followed: 

• Go to Kick.com and sign up for an account by clicking on ‘Sign In’ in the top-right corner. 
• After signing in, click your profile on the top-right corner and click Creator Dashboard. 
• Go to the Creator Dashboard and select the Settings option. Find the Stream URL and Stream Key and make a copy of them.
• Launch your live streaming encoder and enter the stream URL and key. 
• You need an RTMP-compatible encoder to stream on Kick. You can use URay Coder and OBS Studio.
• Check that your output settings are according to your liking. You may also refer to Kick’s settings for an improved result. 
• Return to your Creator Dashboard and click Edit stream info. 
• Set the broadcast title, category, and language. You can also choose to limit your live show to mature audiences only. 
• If you are done, click Save. Press the live button on your streaming encoder.

Is It Profitable to Invest in Video Streaming App Development?

Video streaming apps have emerged as a profitable business venture not just for streamers but the developers behind them. They allow users to watch live or on-demand content from various genres and categories. They also provide streamers with a platform to showcase their talents and earn money from subscriptions, tips, and ads.

One of the factors that make video streaming app development profitable is the high demand and low supply. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global video streaming market size was valued at $50.11 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% from 2021 to 2028. 

Another factor that makes video streaming app development profitable is the innovation and differentiation. Video streaming apps can offer unique features and services that cater to specific audiences and needs. For example, Kick is a new video streaming platform that claims to offer more freedom and flexibility to streamers and viewers, compared to its main rival Twitch. 

Overall, video streaming app development is a profitable venture, as long as the app can meet the demand and stand out from the competition. Kick and Twitch are two examples of how you can make a huge difference in the live video streaming industry. 

Conclusion

All in all, Kick is a new and exciting platform that could challenge the dominance of live streaming. Considering the recent development and advancements in the platform, we can expect that Kick will offer a space where streamers can relax about revenue sharing and concentrate more on creating whatever content they want. However, the future will show if Kick has what it needs to compete with YouTube Live or Twitch.

Nevertheless, Kick can be a perfect option for you if you: 

• Want high payout rates of 95%.
• Want to reach a wider audience using one or more streaming platforms. 
• Want more freedom in content creation. 

Additional FAQs

Does Kick Pay $16 Dollars An Hour? 

Yes, Kick offers a minimum of $16 hourly pay to eligible streamers in its Creator Incentive Program.

How Much Does Kick Pay For Streaming? 

Kick pays streamers 95% of subscription earnings and 100% of tips. The average subscription on Kick costs $4.99.

Why Is Kick Streaming Controversial? 

Kick is controversial because it allows gambling streams, hosts banned streamers from other platforms, and has lax moderation and security.

Is Kick Streaming Free? 

Yes, Kick Streaming is free for both viewers and streamers. However, viewers can support streamers by subscribing or tipping.

Does Kick Pay Hourly? 

Yes, Kick pays hourly to streamers who join its Creator Incentive Program and meet certain requirements. The hourly rate may vary depending on performance.

Is Kick Still in the Beta Version?

Yes, the Kick beta version is still running and the platform has not launched its full version yet and is not sharing any ad revenue with the streamers currently. However, for many streamers who are not very big or popular, the revenue split on Kick could be a viable option for them to earn from streaming.