Amazon wants to catapult the next generation of internet stars, and it's positioning its video-game streamer Twitch to do just that.
The 9 most popular Twitch streamers in the world, one of whom makes an estimated $560,000 a month playing video games
Amazon is trying to position its video-game streamer Twitch as a YouTube competitor, and these nine Twitch stars and video game enthusiasts already have millions of followers on the site.
According to Bloomberg, Amazon is going after exclusive livestreaming deals with media companies, YouTube stars, and Hollywood talent like Will Smith in an effort to expand Twitch beyond its niche of video games.
Twitch is largely a platform for people to play video games and stream them live for others to watch. Many have found success on the site similar to famous YouTube personalities.
But that's not the site's only use, and CEO Emmett Shear is looking to the future. Bloomberg reported, based on anonymous sources who were at a recent meeting, that Shear set a target of $1 billion in ad sales for Twitch, which would double its current ad sales.
Twitch has a loyal user base, and there are already plenty of Twitch stars with huge followings. Popular internet personality and streamer, Ninja, for example, makes at least $560,000 a month, Forbes estimated — and that was in March. Amazon Prime subscribers are allowed to donate to his Twitch stream, plus he has a popular YouTube channel. And Twitch star Summit1g revealed his donation total in a stream last year to be over $208,000 at the time.
Below are the nine biggest Twitch stars, some of whom are making millions:
9. ESL_CSGO
Twitch stream: twitch.tv/esl_csgo
Followers: 2.46 million
The ESL Gaming Network hosts numerous competitive-gaming events and its "Counter Strike: Global Offensive"-focused Twitch stream is a massive hit.
8. TimTheTatman
Twitch stream: twitch.tv/timthetatman
Followers: 2.52 million
Tim says on his YouTube channel bio that if he could, he would make streaming his full-time job. "T
7. Syndicate
Twitch stream: twitch.tv/syndicate
Followers: 2.59 million
Syndicate's real name is Tom Cassell. He started his video career in 2010 on YouTube where he became prominent for "Halo" and "Call of Duty." On Twitch, he primarily plays "Fortnite," "Minecraft," and "Call of Duty."
6. DrDisRespectLIVE
Twitch stream: twitch.tv/drdisrespectlive
Followers: 2.62 million
DrDisRespect's real name is Guy Beahm. He's known for being a prominent internet personality within the competitive-gaming circle.
5. Riot Games
Twitch stream: twitch.tv/riotgames
Followers: 3.01 million
Riot Games is a video game development and eSports tournament company, best known for the popular multiplayer battle arena game, "League of Legends."
4. Summit1g
Twitch stream: twitch.tv/summit1g
Followers: 3.26 million
Summit1g's real name is Jaryd Lazar, who rose to prominence as a competitive "Counter-Strike: Global Offensive" player, which he still plays on his Twitch stream. He has also recently been playing "Realm Royale" and "Escape from Tarkov." He describes himself as a "full-time streamer" in his Twitter bio.
3. Shroud
Twitch stream: twitch.tv/shroud
Followers: 4.014 million
2. TSM_Myth
Twitch stream: twitch.tv/tsm_myth
Followers: 4.06 million
1. Ninja
Twitch stream: twitch.tv/ninja
Followers: 10.4 million