Digital Media Concepts/The Influence of Live Creators
The Influence of Live Creators
[edit | edit source]Following the recent surge of live streamers, the influence of these live creators has become tremendous. This page will expand upon their impact on digital media and their massive influence on the world.
What is it?
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Live streaming is the act of broadcasting a live video to an online audience. Over the years, live streaming has become more prominent than ever, with apps like Twitch, YouTube, Kick, and many more taking over the scene. Live streamers create a wide variety of content, ranging from gaming to politics, almost anything can be done on these live streaming apps. The growth of live streamers has created an alterative of media consumption and television.
Background
[edit | edit source]Live streaming was first created in the early 1990s, but it wasn't very broad and mostly consisted of musical concerts and sports games. Popular streaming service YouTube was launched in 2005, with its first livestream airing in 2008. In 2011, Twitch was first launched, and live streaming became more and more popular. [1]Genres such as gaming and just chatting became more prominent in live streaming. Following the trend, social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram released their live-streaming features as well.
The Rise of Live Streaming
[edit | edit source]Although live streaming was around for years, it had recently blown up significantly in the past years. Popular streamers such as iShowSpeed (aka Darren Watkins) and Kai Cenat have massive fanbases across the world, totaling to millions.[2] This growth has popularized a new form of media consumption, where many viewers feel as if they are apart of the stream.[3]
What Caused This Growth
[edit | edit source]Live streaming is evolving and growing faster then any other form of media in this age. The primary reason for this growth is because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the lockdown, many people felt isolated and were unable to interact with others in person. As a result, tons of people turned to live streaming as a way of being able to interact and engage with others virtually. Many streamers created online communities for viewers, fostering a community and friend group for many. According to a report from a popular streaming platform StreamElements, streaming had a growth of 101% from 2019 to 2021.[4] However, this wasn't something temporary. This event played a key role in popularizing live streaming, allowing it to grow bigger and bigger.
The Influence
[edit | edit source]A recent stream hosted by the popular streamer iShowSpeed is an example of how much influence streamers have on the world. During this stream, Watkins went to China and livestreamed his touring experience. This livestream gained thousands of live viewers. In result to the positive feedback Watkins was receiving, the Chinese government praised Watkins for promoting positive narratives and showcasing Chinese culture, people, and everyday life.[5] Many accused the streamer of being paid by Chinese media, but Watkins’s cameraman, Slipz, denied these accusations, mentioning that Watkins "would likely take a net loss for this stream."[6] This shows the significant influence that live streamers have on the media and the world. Livestreams have the potential to fix cultural gaps and shape the perceptions of many around the world.
Political Influence
[edit | edit source]On March 12th, 2024, popular Kick streamer Adin Ross had a livestream with current president Donald Trump, which was broadcasted on Kick. Unlike traditional appearances on media, this stream allowed Trump to interact and engage with a younger and less politically engaged audience in a casual setting. This livestream sparked diverse controversy, with some praising Adin Ross for the stream, while others argued that the stream should not have been done because of the potential political impact.[7] This event created a debate over whether live streamers and influencers should bring political figures on stream, knowing the potential impact on public opinion.
Outlook
[edit | edit source]As digital media grows bigger and bigger the influence and power of live creators is likely to grow with it. Live creators have shaped a new age of media and with this comes great responsibility. Due to the live broadcasting of these streamers, minor mistakes and misinformation can create a chain reaction of issues, creating the possibility of influencing audiences negatively or positively.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Livestreaming | Description, History, Technology, & Concerns | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ↑ "iShowSpeed got one million concurrent viewers in one of Asia's most creator-obsessed countries". IMDb. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ↑ "Investigating Social Presence in "In Real Life" Streaming for Community Building". UF College of Journalism and Communications. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ↑ "How did the pandemic affect the live streaming industry? | LIVAD Blog". www.livad.stream. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ↑ "IShowSpeed praised by Chinese government as streams go viral". Dexerto. 2025-03-27. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ↑ "IShowSpeed's China Tour Isn't Funded by Chinese Governmen..." Complex. Retrieved 2025-03-30.
- ↑ "Trump sits down with controversial live streamer Adin Ross". ny1.com. Retrieved 2025-03-30.