Summary
- Twitch will be ending support for the Nintendo Switch on January 31, 2024, and will be delisted from the Nintendo eShop on November 6, 2023.
- The closure of Twitch on the Switch comes as competition in the streaming space intensifies, with streamers moving to platforms like YouTube and Kick.
- Twitch has faced controversy with permabans of popular creators, but recently reversed some major bans in an effort to stay competitive in the streaming industry.
Twitch has confirmed it will officially be ending support for the streaming platform on the Nintendo Switch, confirming all users will lose access at the end of January. Throughout its growth into one of the largest streaming websites in the world, Twitch has extended its reach to a wide variety of different platforms. Twitch has consistently been available on most major consoles throughout recent years and even had a version on the portable PlayStation Vita. Now, however, a popular platform is set to lose its Twitch functionality in the near future.
While the Nintendo Switch has been one of the most popular consoles of its generation, the console has seen a mixed track record with many streaming services. While the Switch boasts Hulu and Crunchyroll apps within the eShop, other popular streaming platforms like Netflix and Max have yet to arrive to the handheld-home console hybrid. Twitch has been available on the console for nearly two years with its Switch app officially launching in late 2021. However, Twitch is now planning to end support for the Switch version of the streaming platform soon.
An update to the Nintendo Switch page on Twitch's help website reveals the impending closure of the streaming platform on Switch. Twitch will officially be removed from the Nintendo eShop within the next week, officially being delisted from the online store on November 6. Twitch has also confirmed that any users who already have the app downloaded on their Switch will lose access to Twitch's streaming service early next year on January 31. No reason was given by Twitch for the sunsetting of its Switch app.
When is the Twitch App Shutting Down on Nintendo Switch?
- Twitch will be delisted from the Nintendo eShop on November 6, 2023. Existing Twitch apps on Switch will have their service shut down on January 31, 2024.
Twitch's newly announced shutdown of the Switch version comes amidst increasing competition within the streaming space. Both YouTube and Kick have received major boosts in recent months with popular streamer Cr1tikal ending his Twitch stream exclusivity to stream on YouTube and prolific former Twitch streamers moving to Kick. Twitch has seen several of its former biggest talents like xQc and Amouranth sign with Kick throughout recent months. Twitter also recently announced its livestreaming initiative, with the Elon Musk-run social media platform planning to roll out game streaming capabilities.
While Twitch has faced steep competition from other streaming platforms, the Amazon-owned service has also increasingly considered walking back some of its previous decisions. Permabans have been a notable part of the platform's history with many popular creators like Dr. Disrespect and Adin Ross permanently suspended from the site. Twitch unbanned popular creator IShowSpeed earlier this month, nearly two years after his initial removal from the platform. Twitch's recent reversal on major bans will hope to give the company an extra boost in a competitive modern streaming industry.