STREAM REPORT NEWSLETTER

#164

Live Rewind Is Here… But Not on Twitch

January 29, 2025

Welcome to Stream Report, a newsletter from Gaming Careers covering important news and updates in streaming and content creation.

In this issue: Kick’s new pause and rewind feature has streamers and viewers asking: Why hasn’t Twitch done this yet?

Kick Adds Rewind to Streams – Why Can’t Twitch?

Live Rewind Is Here But Not on Twitch
Kick Adds Rewind to Streams – Why Can’t Twitch?

Kick has officially added live rewind, giving viewers the ability to pause or rewind streams in real time. Whether you need to step away for a moment or want to rewatch an epic play, this feature makes it easy to catch up without missing a beat.

It’s a feature that’s been a game-changer for platforms like YouTube, and its arrival on Kick is a clear signal that the platform is listening to what viewers want. While the implementation isn’t perfect yet, it’s a significant step forward—and one that raises a big question: Why hasn’t Twitch done this?

Why Twitch Doesn’t Have Rewind

Twitch users have been asking for rewind functionality for years, but the platform has always fallen short of delivering it. Twitch CEO Dan Clancy recently shed light on the issue, explaining that the platform’s current infrastructure makes adding rewind both technically complex and financially challenging.

Here’s what Clancy had to say:

“The way Twitch does its streaming and the way it stores its VODs, it is technically complex and potentially expensive. A general rewind function, because of the way we build our streaming, the way we built our VODs, it would [require] an overhaul to go back 20 minutes, 30 minutes or 40 minutes.”

“One of the things that’s always challenging is when you think about the cost. Twitch streams a lot of content. When we do something, the cost can be prohibitive, and we have to figure out if it’s on all streams, or partners and affiliates. Because it’s not just the cost when someone rewinds, it’s the cost of the storage so that you can support rewind at all.”

In short, Twitch’s current system wasn’t built to support rewind, and enabling it would require a major overhaul—not to mention a significant investment in storage and infrastructure.

Is Twitch Falling Behind Technically?

For years, Twitch’s low latency and smooth playback made it the gold standard for livestreaming. But as competitors like YouTube and Kick continue to innovate, Twitch’s player is starting to show its age.

YouTube has supported higher resolutions and newer, more efficient video codecs for years. Twitch is only now testing these features with a limited group of streamers through its Enhanced Broadcasting program.

These differences are becoming more noticeable to viewers. For example, many esports fans prefer YouTube for tournaments because they can pause the action, skip through downtime, and enjoy higher-quality streams. Twitch’s player, once a standout feature, now feels like it’s struggling to keep pace.

How Does Kick’s Rewind Compare to YouTube’s?

Kick’s rewind feature is a strong addition, but it’s not quite as refined as YouTube’s. On YouTube, rewind functionality has been a core part of the livestreaming experience from the start, and it shows.

  • YouTube’s rewind is smooth and intuitive. Hovering over the timeline reveals thumbnail previews, making it easy to find the exact moment you’re looking for. Playback resumes almost instantly.
  • Kick’s rewind is a bit more basic. There are no thumbnail previews yet, and it takes a few seconds to resume playback after rewinding.

While Kick’s implementation isn’t perfect, it’s still a major quality-of-life improvement for viewers—and one that Twitch users have been asking for, to no avail.

🔥 Pete’s Content Corner

Delve into my weekly selection of content creation highlights—handpicked videos, podcasts, and tweets that promise to captivate, educate, and entertain.

  1. Twitch is addressing an issue with ad revenue calculations and promises to fix it before the next payout, ensuring creators receive accurate earnings.
  2. A new update to Twitch’s earnings dashboard now displays your tax information status, helping you stay compliant and avoid higher tax rates.
  3. Moist Esports, founded by streamers Ludwig and MoistCr1tiKaL, has merged with Shopify Rebellion to strengthen their presence in the esports scene.

edition:

#164

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The founder of Gaming Careers with a borderline unhealthy obsession for cameras, microphones, and all things streaming. He gets mistaken for Stephen Merchant at least 5 times a day.

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