Amazon and Twitch: Monetizing an Interesting Streaming Service

February 7, 2020

The write up “Amazon Might Offer Twitch’s Streaming Technology to Businesses” is an interesting business analysis crafted by Engadget. Like other Silicon Valley infused information services, writing about gadgets is definitely the platform one can use to write about business strategies and tactics.

The write up states:

Twitch would still exist, but Amazon would have a new way to monetize its technology.

Twitch is a collection of individuals who “play” games. As the DarkCyber team has documented for my lectures to law enforcement and intelligence professionals, Twitch serves up a number of interesting digital experiences:

  • Pole dancers
  • Pirated first run videos
  • Streams of protests, some displaying a Russian communications service logo
  • Live “instructional” gambling
  • Partially clothed individuals (assorted genders)
  • A Hollywood Squares style discussion of jobs and other compelling subjects
  • Emojis used to signal intent, some good, some bad.

Oh, there are streaming games played by individuals with “rigs” and lightning fast reflexes. Microsoft has been luring the star gamers to its streaming platform too.

Streaming services like Twitch, however, are expensive to operate, but Amazon keeps those costs under wraps. Plus, there may be some risks to the Amazon entity. What type? See the list of content DarkCyber identified above.

The Twitch technology is remarkable, particularly for a person who has never seen what the future of video programming may be like. However, Amazon Twitch looks a bit frumpy when compared to Neverthink, TikTok, and Walnut.

Engadget writes:

Amazon seems to think that Twitch’s streaming technologies could have a lot of value to other companies, thanks to the robustness of the platform.

What could go wrong for business? Stream hijacking? Bad actors using a corporate stream to inject interesting content?

Net net: Amazon may tap Engadget to assist with repositioning the Twitch property. DarkCyber’s view of Twitch is the stuff of my lectures for law enforcement and intelligence conferences, not a free blog. Money losing units at Amazon may not be too popular if bonuses are eroded. Difficulty level: Comparable to selling business Amazon blockchain technology.

Stephen E Arnold, February 7, 2020

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