Twitch to Remove Host and Host Mode Features
Livestreaming platform Twitch has announced that it will be removing the host and host mode features on October 3, 2022, according to a report by Zach Bussey.
Introduced in 2014, host mode allowed streamers to showcase another stream for their audience after they went online. While in host mode, the streamer would still appear as online, but their channel would feature a different content creator and have a separate chat.
After nearly eight years, Twitch has decided to discontinue the hosting feature starting on October 3, 2022. The ‘Host Channel’ action will be removed from the Stream Manager quick action page, and ‘Autohost’ will be replaced with ‘Suggested Channels’ in Twitch’s channel settings.
Twitch explained its decision by stating, “Since its launch, we’ve learned that streamers often want to share their viewers with other streamers to help them grow and have introduced features to help you do that.” The platform is likely referring to the popularity of ‘raiding,’ which involves sending viewers directly to another creator’s channel after ending a stream.
Twitch further explained that hosting prevented viewers from engaging with the chosen streamer and hindered the creation of meaningful connections with new viewers. Unlike raiding, hosting counted towards the host’s viewership and provided a completely separate viewer experience, which likely contributed to Twitch’s decision.
The announcement has received a mixed reaction from Twitch users. Some are supportive, stating that they haven’t seen the host functionality used much in recent years. Others view Twitch’s decision as unnecessary. The hosting features will be sunsetted on the platform this October.