As more consumers ditch cable and look for alternate entertainment options (Hulu, Netflix or Amazon Instant Video, as examples), gamers have taken to Twitch, the video game streaming and viewing service that currently pulls in more than 34 million unique viewers each month.
With the popularity of Twitch at an all-time high, the company has partnered with Microsoft to bring an official Twitch app to Xbox 360. The Twitch app is only available for Xbox Live Gold members, and only to those in the US, but the app has the potential to expand to a worldwide audience. Additionally, the Twitch app only allows for the viewing of streams, and doesn't provide 360 streaming capabilities.
"Our app for Xbox 360 brings Twitch video to the television and into the living room of millions of Xbox Live members for the first time," says Emmett Shear, Twitch CEO, in a release. "The app will let every Xbox Live gamer find and watch streams of their favorite games from their couch! Given the huge number [of] Xbox owners and how many of them love gaming spectatorship, it's a natural fit to bring the Twitch experience to the 360."
In keeping with recent updates to the Twitch iOS app, the Twitch 360 app will only allow viewers to watch a selection of the top 300 live Twitch channels at any one point in time. Viewers can browse videos by channel popularity (how many viewers are currently watching the live stream), by game name, and by featured content.
The Twitch app's first big event following the launch on Xbox 360 will be the hosting and broadcast of an exclusive show following Microsoft's May 21 #XboxRevealed event.
"We're very excited to create more amazing Xbox 360 experiences," adds General Manager, Content Acquisition at Xbox, Martin Sacchi. "Twitch brings a whole new category of live gaming video content that Xbox 360 owners will love. Now you can get your fill of playing a game, then stay right there on Xbox Live and continue the experience by watching the world play."