By
staff writer
April 17th, 2024
TikTok is granting a limited number of users access to its TikTok Live Studio service which could potentially compete with Twitch for a streaming market share.
According to reports, video social media app TikTok is testing a new desktop streaming software that can potentially rival Twitch. The new app would let users broadcast live footage from a host of desktop applications, including games. It would also feature camera support, allowing audiences to see the person streaming content. Furthermore, there would be an added chat feature for communication between both parties.
A select number of users are currently using the ByteDance-owned software as part of the testing process across some Western markets. This experimental group must first download TikTok Live Studio to their desktop computers and then log in there. Users will be able to do this using their TikTok accounts, after which they can now proceed to stream content directly to TikTok Live.
If TikTok Live Studio proves to be a hit, it could revolutionize TikTok’s live streaming strategy. Instead of only focusing on streaming directly from mobile services, TikTok Live Studio could also make inroads into game streaming. This would undoubtedly have the service face off against other established players in the space, such as Twitch, Facebook Gaming, and YouTube Gaming.
Response to TikTok Live Studio Desktop App Already Seems Positive
Live streaming analyst and commentator Zach Bussey shared screenshots of TikTok Live Studio on Twitter along with a message which read:
“It’s super basic in its current state. Has both Landscape and Portrait Scenes. Sources include Game Capture, Mobile Capture, Video Capture, Program Capture, and some text/images. No browser sources, or alerts. Emojis are limited to the stock ones.”
Bussey states that although TikTok Live is still new, it already looks promising. This further suggests that users of TikTok may no longer feel the need to deploy third-party streaming services. Such methods included sharing their Twitch and YouTube Gaming details for audiences to crossover and watch their content. Some users even turned to Streamlabs, another streaming software with limited access and based on invite-only. Lastly still, was the use of tutorials that utilize third-party services like Loola.tv in linking TikTok with streaming platforms like OBS. However, it is worth noting that this last streaming strategy has proven particularly ineffectual in recent times.
A growing number of the creators currently privy to TikTok Live Studio are already monetizing the live streaming service’s tools. Furthermore, by doing so, many of them have also grown their following considerably. At the moment, creators are accepting tips, scheduling events, utilizing live Q&A tools, going live with other users, and assigning moderators. Furthermore, TikTok Live users are also setting up keyword filters and experimenting with the gifting and comment functionality.
Despite this impressive array of features found even in TikTok Live’s early development, TikTok stresses that this is all still experimental. The Chinese platform says that it may choose to retract some of these features or withdraw the software altogether. However, TikTok Live could also pose an opportunity for TikTok to reach more desktop users if eventually released.