Online streamer

Some people show things on the web.

They broadcast themselves to people watching. Many people play video games on camera. This helps them make money.

Some people show their real life too. They might walk outside or eat a meal. They can even use a fake face. This fake face is called an avatar. These people can become very famous stars. It is a big job for many.

An online streamer is a person who broadcasts themselves live.

They use the internet to show things to an audience. This started in the mid-to-late 2000s on sites like YouTube. Many streamers play video games for their fans. These are called Let's Plays. Some people make millions of dollars from this work. They earn money from ads and fans who pay to subscribe.

Some streamers do IRL streams. This means "in real life." They show their daily life to viewers. They might walk outside or answer questions. Some use a virtual avatar. These are called VTubers. They use a digital character instead of their real face. In 2020, there were over 10,000 active VTubers.

Streaming is very big in South Korea. People there call them broadcast jockeys. Some are famous stars who appear on TV. In China, streaming is a huge business. Many streamers there make a lot of money every month. This is because so many people use smartphones to watch. One type of stream from South Korea is called Mukbang. This is when a person streams themselves eating a meal.

An online streamer is a person who broadcasts themselves live.

They use the internet to show their lives to an audience. This job is a type of social media influencer role. People watch these live streams through various websites. Many people want this job to make a living. They can earn money from ads on their videos. They also get money from subscriptions and partnerships.

Streaming works in many different ways. Most streamers play video games for their fans. These are called Let's Plays. Some players do speedruns or walkthroughs of games. Other people do IRL streams, which means "in real life." These streamers show their daily routines or walk outside. Some people use a virtual avatar instead of their face. These are called VTubers. They might even use a voice changer.

This way of sharing life started a long time ago. It began in the mid-to-late 2000s. Users first uploaded videos to sites like YouTube. They made vlogs or Let's Play videos. Later, sites like Twitch made streaming more popular. Twitch added tools like video clippings. They also added pay-for-play options. This helped streaming become a real career path.

Different places have their own streaming styles. In South Korea, streamers are called broadcast jockeys. They can be regular people or famous stars. Some famous idols choose to stream full-time. One popular Korean stream is called Mukbang. This is when someone streams themselves eating a meal. In 2020, there were over 10,000 active VTubers. Some streamers, like Emily, streamed for over 1,100 days.

China is now the largest marketplace for live streaming. The market grew 180% in 2016. Many people in China use smartphones to watch. This makes it easy for everyone to join in. Many Chinese streamers have 100,000 viewers per stream. They can earn $29,000 a month with an agency. Some streamers even make $100,000 every month. Large names like PewDiePie and Ninja make millions of dollars.

An online streamer is a type of social media influencer. They broadcast themselves live to an audience through the internet. This practice has turned into a major career option for many people. Streamers can earn money through several different income streams. They might receive ad revenue sharing from the platforms they use. They also earn money through endorsements or brand partnerships. Subscriptions from viewers provide another way to make a living.

Streaming began to grow in the mid-to-late 2000s. It started on websites like YouTube. Users would upload videos such as vlogs or Let's Plays. These were not always live, but they built large followings. Other sites like Twitch helped increase the popularity of live content. Twitch introduced new features like video clippings. They also offered pay-for-play options for viewers. These innovations helped streaming become a professional path.

Video games are the most popular genre for streamers. Many professionals make their living through Let's Plays. These involve playing games while broadcasting to an audience. Streamers also perform live speedruns or game walkthroughs. Some of the largest streamers in this category are PewDiePie and Ninja. These individuals can make millions of dollars each year from their content.

Many streamers also participate in IRL streams. IRL stands for "in real life." These broadcasts show the streamer's daily life. They might answer questions in front of a computer. They might even stream from a phone while walking outside. Some people use these streams to provide tutorials. Early on, some sites limited non-gaming content. They feared it would hurt the quality of their sites. However, the demand for IRL content eventually grew.

A unique branch of streaming involves virtual avatars. These streamers are often called VTubers. They use a virtual character instead of showing their real face. Sometimes they pair these avatars with voice changers. Companies like Nijisanji and Hololive Production support these talents. They focus on promotion, support, and merchandising. In the year 2020, there were more than 10,000 active VTubers.

Streaming culture also includes more intense or controversial formats. Some people engage in marathon or lifestream streaming. This involves broadcasting almost every part of daily life for a long time. One streamer known as "Emily" streamed for over 1,100 days. She shared her meals and personal routines. This can create a blurred boundary between performance and real life. There is also "trash streaming," which is a controversial format. In this style, hosts do shocking or dangerous things to get donations. This is common in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and Finland.

Different countries have unique streaming cultures and terms. In South Korea, streamers are called broadcast jockeys. They are often more relatable to viewers than traditional celebrities. Some broadcast jockeys become national stars. Recently, famous idols have become broadcast jockeys too. Some do this to earn extra money. Others prefer the freedom of streaming over acting or singing. South Korea is also the home of Mukbang. This is a live stream where someone eats a meal.

China has become the largest marketplace for live streaming. The market grew by 180% in 2016. This growth is due to a large population and many smartphones. Many Chinese citizens prefer to watch entertainment on their phones. Many streamers in China average 100,000 viewers per stream. By partnering with an agency, they can earn $29,000 per month. Some streamers even earn between $10,000 and $100,000 every month. However, Chinese streaming sites may be restricted by strict internet rules.