It's OK to howl at Moon: Why Nasa streamed Artemis flight on Twitch When NASA flight director Zebulon Scoville was overseeing the uncrewed Artemis I test flight, he noticed the space agency wasn’t consistently livestreaming the spacecraft’s journey. “They said, well, we don’t have bandwidth, we’ve got to get all this vehicle and engineering data down,” Scoville recalled. “I was like—wrong.” He argued that the program’s success depended on public engagement, warning that “this program will be over if people don’t buy it and they don’t come with us.” Scoville’s frustration stemmed from a broader shift in NASA’s approach to communication, which he believed was critical to maintaining public interest in the Artemis mission. The decision to stream the Artemis I flight on Twitch, a platform favored by gamers, marked a departure from traditional media strategies. Scoville praised the choice, calling it “cool” and highlighting how it allowed for a more interactive and accessible experience. The livestream included real-time commentary from the crew, who were integral to the storytelling. During the nearly seven-hour lunar flyby, astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen, and Reid Weisman provided vivid descriptions of lunar surface features, leaving Houston-based engineers and mission controllers in awe. This level of transparency was a stark contrast to NASA’s historical tendency toward dry, technical reporting. Scoville emphasized that the Artemis mission represented a new era for the agency, one where emotional engagement was as important as scientific rigor. “It’s okay to jump up and down and howl at the moon,” he said, reflecting on the importance of humanizing space exploration.#nasa #twitch #christina_koch #zebulon_scoville #artemis_i

Twitch competitor DLive closes down after 8 years DLive, a once-prominent livestreaming platform, has officially announced its shutdown after eight years of operation. The company confirmed on April 7, 2026, that it will cease all services and discontinue key features immediately. Users were instructed to complete critical actions before the platform fully winds down, including withdrawing remaining Coins, canceling active subscriptions, and downloading stored content. The decision marks the end of DLive’s journey as an alternative to mainstream platforms like Twitch and YouTube. In its official statement, DLive expressed regret over the closure, stating, “We regret to inform you that the DLive platform will be ceasing operations.” The company emphasized that its top-up system, including subscription features, had already been disabled. It urged users to take immediate steps to secure their accounts and data, warning that further access would be unavailable after the shutdown. DLive also promised to provide updates throughout the transition, ensuring users remained informed about the platform’s shutdown timeline. The message concluded with gratitude for the community’s support over the years, acknowledging the “incredible memories, streams, and unwavering support” from its audience. The closure of DLive represents the end of an era for a platform that once positioned itself as a decentralized alternative to centralized streaming services. Founded with a focus on creator-centric monetization and blockchain integration, DLive initially attracted attention for its unique approach to content distribution and revenue sharing. However, its trajectory has been marked by both growth and challenges, with its most notable moment coming in 2019 when PewDiePie, the popular YouTuber, signed an exclusive livestreaming deal with the platform.#twitch #d_live #pewdiepie #tron #dlive_shutdown

DLive Shuts Down After Eight Years, Leaving Creators in Uncertainty DLive, a livestreaming platform that sought to challenge giants like Twitch, YouTube, and Kick, officially shut down on April 7, 2026, marking the end of an eight-year experiment. The company confirmed it would cease operations permanently, leaving creators and users scrambling to adapt. At the time of shutdown, creators faced restrictions, including the inability to stream, earn money, or manage subscription services. The platform’s reliance on blockchain and cryptocurrency rewards, which had initially drawn attention, ultimately proved unsustainable as it struggled to compete with established platforms. DLive’s decline was attributed to several factors. Despite its innovative approach—rewarding both creators and viewers with cryptocurrency instead of traditional advertising—it failed to gain widespread adoption. Established platforms like Twitch and YouTube had already captured the majority of the market, leaving DLive with limited resources to scale. The platform’s user base dwindled further due to negative feedback, which highlighted issues such as poor user experience and a lack of engagement. By 2026, DLive’s inability to retain audiences and generate consistent revenue had become evident. The platform’s early success was partly fueled by its partnership with Felix “PewDiePie” Kjellberg, a prominent YouTuber whose involvement brought global attention to DLive. However, this momentum waned after BitTorrent Inc. acquired DLive in 2019. The acquisition aimed to expand the platform’s crypto-based features, but most users remained skeptical of the system. Regular users found the cryptocurrency model confusing and impractical, while creators struggled to grow their audiences compared to the larger, more established platforms.#youtube #twitch #d_live #felix_pewdiepie #bit_torrent_inc

Kick Launches Ads, Mizkif Demonstrates One During Stream Kick, a livestreaming platform, has begun integrating advertisements into its service, with streamer Mizkif showcasing one during a live session. The move marks a significant shift for the platform, which previously avoided ads to prioritize creator revenue. Ads have long been a cornerstone of revenue for livestreaming platforms, yet Kick initially launched without them, offering a more favorable revenue split to creators. This approach continued until 2026, when the platform announced its plans to introduce ads. Co-founder Eddie Craven had previously emphasized the importance of maintaining a seamless user experience, stating that ads would be “unintrusive” and not detract from the platform’s standards. He also noted that while ads are inevitable, Kick would avoid overwhelming users with excessive placements. The platform’s official rollout details remain pending, but users are advised to watch for ads appearing in the bottom right corner of the screen during streams. Craven’s comments suggest a cautious strategy, balancing the need for additional revenue with the goal of preserving viewer engagement. For Kick streamers, the introduction of ads presents both opportunities and challenges. While ads could boost overall revenue, their impact on individual creators depends on factors like viewer behavior and ad placement. On rival platforms like Twitch, ads dominate streamer income, so a similar trend may emerge on Kick. However, the platform’s focus on non-disruptive ads could help maintain viewer retention, allowing streamers to benefit from increased ad revenue without alienating their audience. Smaller and newer streamers may find the change particularly advantageous, as it provides a pathway to grow their ad income alongside building a loyal viewer base.#twitch #kick #mizkif #eddie_craven #stake

Twitch is testing a new subscription feature called “Gift ‘Em All” that allows users to purchase subscriptions for every follower watching a stream in a single action. The platform, owned by Amazon, has previously experimented with other forms of gifted subscriptions, such as a feature that let users donate 1,000 subs at once. The latest experiment aims to expand on that concept by enabling users to gift subs to all active followers simultaneously. The “Gift ‘Em All” option works by letting users press a button to send subscriptions to every follower currently viewing a stream. While the feature is described as a “fun way to gift to the folks currently watching,” Twitch notes it is not always available. The platform explains that the tool is “available from time-to-time in a small number of channels and users” as part of ongoing experiments. However, not all eligible viewers may receive a subscription due to technical limitations like lag or latency in processing new followers or users joining and leaving the channel. The feature’s potential for large-scale donations is highlighted by the possibility of users gifting subs to hundreds of thousands of followers if a stream goes viral. A screenshot from Twitch shows a user could gift 200 active followers $998 worth of subs. This raises concerns about the financial impact on both streamers and the platform, as wealthy viewers could make massive contributions. The “Gift ‘Em All” tool follows controversy surrounding Twitch’s earlier 1000 subs feature, which drew criticism from a former manager who claimed the feature was added to “squeeze every penny” from users. Twitch’s Chief Product Officer, Mike Minton, disputed these claims, stating the feature was designed to simplify the process for users who frequently gift in large amounts.#amazon #twitch #mike_minton #gift_em_all #streamers

Twitch Introduces Experimental Feature Allowing Subscriptions to Be Gifted to All Viewers Twitch viewers can now support their favorite streamers by purchasing subscriptions for themselves or gifting them to others. The platform is currently testing an experimental feature called "Gift 'Em All," which automatically delivers subscriptions to all active viewers of a stream at the same time. This update aims to boost revenue for both streamers and Twitch by making it easier for fans to contribute to a streamer’s income. Subscriptions have long been a key revenue source for Twitch, enabling streamers to monetize their content while providing viewers with a way to show support. The platform has continually refined its subscription system, allowing users to send gifts to specific individuals or distribute them across a community. The new "Gift 'Em All" feature expands on this by offering a more streamlined option for viewers who want to reward everyone watching simultaneously. Twitch’s approach to subscriptions has been praised for its simplicity and accessibility. By making gifted subscriptions easy to purchase through chat or direct transfers, the platform ensures that even casual viewers can contribute to a streamer’s earnings. The "Gift 'Em All" experiment builds on this by targeting the most generous and financially capable fans, who can now allocate their support to all active viewers in a single action. The feature is part of Twitch’s ongoing efforts to enhance its monetization tools. Other platforms have also recognized the value of subscriptions, with TikTok leading the way in creating a live streaming ecosystem where streamers reportedly generate over $10 million in daily revenue.#tiktok #twitch #gift_em_all #matt_navarra #twitch_ecosystem

Twitch Subscription Gifting: Twitch’s new ‘Gift ’em All’ feature could let users gift subs to entire streams Twitch is testing a new feature that could transform how viewers support streamers on the platform. The tool, dubbed ‘Gift ’em All,’ allows users to gift subscriptions to all viewers simultaneously. Instead of selecting individual recipients, the feature automatically sends subscriptions to every person currently watching a stream and following the channel. While the feature is still in its experimental phase, it has sparked significant interest among Twitch users. Some speculate it could lead to massive donations during live streams, while others are intrigued by how it might handle streams with thousands of viewers. The platform clarified that not every eligible viewer may receive a subscription when the feature is used. Factors like network lag, latency, or viewers joining and leaving the stream at the same time could affect the distribution. One notable aspect of the test is the absence of a strict limit on the number of subscriptions gifted at once. For example, Twitch shared an image showing a user could gift 200 subscriptions for approximately $998. If applied to a stream with thousands of followers, the cost could escalate dramatically. This test follows the introduction of another feature last year that enabled users to gift 1,000 subscriptions at once. That feature sparked debate after a former Twitch manager claimed it was added to “squeeze every penny” from users who frequently donate large sums. Twitch Chief Product Officer Mike Minton refuted the claim, stating the feature was designed to simplify the process for a small group of users who already gifted large numbers of subscriptions. For now, ‘Gift ’em All’ remains an experiment.#twitch #mike_minton #gift_em_all #twitch_chief_product_officer #subscription_gifting

TheLinkU and Twitch Launch 'StreamU,' the First Live Streaming Network Built Exclusively for College Athletics TheLinkU, a leading platform for managing name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities in college sports, has partnered with Twitch to launch StreamU, a dedicated livestreaming network for college athletics. This initiative aims to create new revenue streams for universities and student-athletes by leveraging Twitch’s global audience and monetization tools. The collaboration marks a significant step in expanding the reach of college sports beyond traditional media, offering schools and athletes a direct channel to engage fans and generate income. StreamU operates as a national digital sports network, allowing universities to manage their own branded channels under a unified framework. Schools will have access to subscription models, advertising revenue, shared sponsorships, and built-in monetization features to enhance fan interaction. The network is designed to support both high-profile programs and smaller, non-revenue sports, including Olympic disciplines, thereby broadening participation in the NIL ecosystem. Key activations are planned around major college sports events, such as Selection Sunday and the Final Four weekend in Indianapolis, ensuring a national presence during critical moments in the athletic calendar. TheLinkU serves as the operational and compliance backbone of StreamU, ensuring adherence to NCAA regulations while streamlining the process for athletes and institutions. Founded in 2022 by Austin Elrod, TheLinkU has positioned itself as a pioneer in the NIL space, offering tools to simplify and enhance opportunities for college athletes and their universities.#indianapolis #twitch #the_linku #streamu #austin_elrod

Twitch streamer Cinna draws clear line with Adin Ross, says she has “no problem” but won’t call him a friend Cinna, a prominent Twitch streamer, made it clear during a recent livestream that she does not have any personal issues with Adin Ross, another well-known content creator. However, she emphasized that she would not refer to him as a friend. The statement came after a clip of her addressing the topic went viral on X, sparking widespread debate among fans about the nature of their relationship. The clip, which was shared extensively on the platform, featured Cinna explaining her stance on Ross. Viewers began interpreting her words differently, with some suggesting there might be underlying tension between the two creators. As the online discussion grew, Cinna took the opportunity to clarify her position during her own livestream. She reiterated that while she has no personal conflicts with Ross, she chooses not to label their relationship as friendship. Cinna’s comments have since become a focal point for fans and critics alike, with many analyzing the nuances of her statement. Some argue that her refusal to call Ross a friend could indicate a lack of trust or unresolved issues, while others view it as a simple distinction without deeper implications. The conversation highlights the complexities of online relationships and the public scrutiny that creators face when addressing personal dynamics. The incident also underscores the role of social media in shaping perceptions of public figures. As the clip circulated, it amplified existing speculation about the pair’s interactions, demonstrating how digital platforms can influence narratives even when the original context is limited. Cinna’s clarification attempt reflects the challenges of managing public perception in an era where every statement can be dissected and reinterpreted.#x #twitch #cinna #adin_ross #livestream

Twitch streamer Cinna draws clear line with Adin Ross, says she has “no problem” but won’t call him a friend During a collaboration stream, Adin Ross asked Cinna why he had been banned from her community chat. While discussing their situation, Ross claimed they were “friends now” and suggested playing games together. Cinna responded honestly and calmly, clarifying that she did not consider them close friends. She emphasized that she had no negative feelings toward him, though she made it clear she would not refer to him as a friend. The conversation, which went viral, highlighted the tension between the two streamers. Cinna’s response was seen as a firm boundary, balancing honesty with a lack of hostility. Ross’s attempt to reframe their relationship as friendly was met with Cinna’s straightforward rejection of that label. The exchange sparked discussions among fans about the dynamics of online friendships and the importance of personal boundaries in public spaces. Cinna’s stance reflects a broader trend among content creators who prioritize authenticity over public perception. By addressing the situation directly, she avoided escalating conflict while maintaining her position. The incident also underscored the complexities of navigating relationships in the public eye, where personal connections can be scrutinized and redefined by audiences. The stream’s popularity demonstrated the ongoing interest in the interactions between prominent streamers, even when those interactions are rooted in past conflicts. Cinna’s refusal to label Ross as a friend, despite the latter’s efforts to mend ties, reinforced her commitment to defining her own terms for how she engages with others. This moment became a case study in how online personas can shape and reshape relationships, often under the watchful eyes of millions.#cinna #adin_ross #twitch #community_chat #streamer
