While the popular streaming platform of Twitch is seen as one of the top places to go to see gaming entertainment in today's world, Twitch has been at the center of plenty of controversy in recent months with one of the most discussed being the ads that the platform ran for a New Year's Even Fortnite event featuring Tyler "Ninja" Belvins and a NFL Pro Bowl event featuring Imane "Pokimane" Anys on the channels of other Twitch streamers.
Receiving a great deal of backlash from streamers who did not agree with the platform running advertisements for events being held on the personal channels of Ninja and Pokimane on their channels that could potentially push viewers away from their own streams, the streaming platform released a public statement on Monday, January 28th addressing the controversy.
With the main complaint by streamers who had the Ninja and Pokimane ads featured on their channels being that the platform should not advertise the content of another streamer on the channels of other content creators who use the platform, Twitch stated that it will avoid running these types of ads that may drive viewers to other channels in the future.
Many content creators on the platform have publicly stated their displeasure with Twitch showing the ads for the Ninja and Pokimane events on their channels with the likes of Guy "Dr DisRespect" Beahm and Max "GassyMexican" Gonzalez chiming in.
Dear @Twitch , get these ugly looking New Years Eve ad rolls off my page.
— Dr Disrespect (@drdisrespect) December 28, 2018
Don’t ever do it again either.
Ever.
Apparently @Twitch didn't get the message last time that putting ads on other casters channels throughout the site DIRECTLY ADVERTISING another persons channel wasn't cool. So...here we are again. What the fuck twitch? None of us want Pokimane (or anyone) ads on our shit. Stop.
— Max Gonzalez (@GassyMexican) January 25, 2019
However, not all content creators on the platform have had the same feelings. This was the case for streamer JERICHO who stated that he did not have a problem with the ads featuring Ninja and Pokimane, as he believed a streamer should be confident enough in their own content that they will not lose viewers because of the ads in question.
Hot take: ads promoting other streams on Twitch are fine
— TUCKER (@JERICHO) January 25, 2019
Hotter take: an unnoticeable fraction of viewers will see that ad and go "screw Jericho, I'm gonna watch that instead"
Hottest take: if my stream is less entertaining than the advertised one, I deserve to lose that viewer
Both Ninja and Pokimane have responded to the controversy surrounding their Twitch ads stating that their events have helped the streaming community as a whole by bringing more viewers and exposure to the platform.
What are your thoughts on the Pokimane and Ninja Twitch ads controversy? Join our community and let us know in the comments below.
(cover photo courtesy of Twitch)
