Streamer xQc Signs $70 Million Deal with Kick
Félix “xQc” Lengyel, a former Overwatch League pro and popular streamer, has inked a two-year contract worth $70 million with streaming platform Kick. The news was reported by the New York Times, stating that the deal could potentially reach $100 million if xQc meets certain performance targets during his tenure.
New York Times Report Confirms Massive Deal
The New York Times has reported that xQc’s $70 million contract with Kick is a significant development in the esports world. If xQc achieves certain milestones, the contract’s value could even hit $100 million. The news is a blow to Twitch, which has been losing its top streamers to competitors like Kick.
Kick Emerges as Major Twitch Rival
Kick has rapidly become Twitch’s biggest challenger, particularly after securing the signing of xQc. Kick currently attracts anywhere between 50,000 to 200,000 viewers across its streams at any given time. With xQc joining the platform, Kick’s viewership is expected to grow substantially.
Non-Exclusive Contract with Kick
It’s important to note that xQc’s contract with Kick is non-exclusive, allowing him to appear on other streaming platforms. According to Kick CEO Ed Craven, xQc will still make appearances on TikTok, YouTube, and even Twitch, although less frequently.
Kick offers a distinct advantage to streamers with its significantly smaller subscription revenue cut. While Twitch takes 50% of streamers’ subscription revenue, Kick only takes 5%. Twitch faced backlash after announcing stricter regulations on third-party ads, leading many to believe more streamers will switch to Kick.
xQc expressed excitement about joining Kick, stating that the platform provides him with new opportunities. Despite receiving offers from multiple platforms, xQc found Kick’s proposal to be the obvious choice.
Twitch has already lost several high-profile streamers to YouTube in recent times. Although Kick may not have the same financial backing as YouTube, it has the potential to become equally influential in the industry.
As of now, xQc’s first stream on Kick has not been announced.