In recent data, it was revealed that YouTube Live is suffering a comedown amid rising competition across the streaming space. In recent years, the likes of Kick.com and TikTok have come for the crowns claimed by YouTube and Twitch, and the video-based titans are starting to feel that pinch.
Steamscharts recently published a report for the Q3 2025 ‘Global Livestreaming Landscape’, and it revealed that quarter-over-quarter, YouTube Live saw a drop of more than 10% in hours watched, falling below the 50% market cap spot ‘for the first time in years’.
The Streaming Space is Becoming Saturated
Streamscharts’ report included coverage of every major and growing minor streaming platform around the world:
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Twitch
- Kick
- SOOP Korea
- CHZZK
- Rumble
- NimoTV
The numbers represent a considerable drop in foothold for YouTube Live, which is crumbling under the competition represented by TikTok Live. In recent years, TikTok has become a powerhouse platform for streamers looking to make a buck, with intense monetization features that are just too lucrative for anyone to ignore.
That’s why TikTok Live now makes up 31.4% of the livestreaming market, 4.4% of which is dedicated to gaming, fast becoming one of the cornerstones of the platform that was once made up of teenagers dancing to popular music.
YouTube Live still has a 45% claim over the market, but as Streamscharts wrote:
YouTube Live remains the top platform but saw a 10.6% drop in Hours Watched (13.25B) and its share fell below 50% for the first time in years.
Kick continues to grow, despite constant controversies being raised on the platform. It’s still a site under intense scrutiny, but that hasn’t stopped streamers from flocking to the site as another option for their broadcasts.
Are you surprised that YouTube Live has seen a drop this year? Let me know what you’re thinking on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
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Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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