In a groundbreaking move that has sent shockwaves through the streaming industry, globally-renowned streamer Félix "xQc" Lengyel has signed a monumental deal with the streaming platform Kick. This unprecedented partnership marks a significant shift in the world of live streaming, promising an evolution that will redefine the landscape as we know it.
According to The New York Times, the highly lucrative streaming deal involving xQc and Kick is set to pay out an impressive $35 million annually for two years, with the potential for an additional $30 million in incentives if the popular streamer achieves specific performance targets.
Kick, a relatively new streaming platform, has received financial backing from prominent online gambling companies, including Stake.com. The platform was launched after Twitch restricted gambling on its website and as a result has seen notable figures, such as Adin Ross, BruceDropEmOff, and Trainwreckstv, flock to its ranks.
xQc states that choosing Kick as his next platform was easy
In a release, xQc expressed his excitement about the deal, stating, "Kick is allowing me to try and do things I haven't been able to before. It should have been a difficult conversation with every platform in the space throwing offers my way, but after speaking to Kick and the team behind it, the choice was obvious."
Ed Craven, CEO of Kick, shared his enthusiasm for xQc joining their platform, emphasizing the opportunity for him to reinvent himself in an environment that treats him as an adult and values his creative contributions. Craven stated, "It's an exciting journey that xQc embarks on with Kick - an opportunity to revolutionize the industry and take control of his streaming future."
This news comes as a significant blow to Twitch, as xQc is just the latest amongst the list of high profile streamers who have begun to stream in rival platforms.
Streamers React to xQc joining Kick
Streamers and industry insiders have been reacting to the recent developments surrounding Twitch and xQc's deal with Kick, expressing a range of opinions.
CS:GO streamer mOE expressed his disbelief, stating, "Twitch gave a big 'fuck you' to Trainwrecks, and what does he do? Goes and starts a competitor and signs their number one streamer to a mega deal. You can't make this shit up."
Popular YouTube star Ludwig Ahgren also expressed his disbelief comparing xQc's contract with that of Lebron James.
Last month's most-watched English streamer, Zack "Asmongold" also pinged Kick on Twitter following this announcement.
While many are still flabbergasted by the sheer size of this move, others express skepticism over the sustainability of Kick as a streaming platform.
