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Live streaming has quickly transformed from a niche hobby into a multi-billion-dollar industry that is reshaping entertainment, gaming, and online interactions.
Platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming dominate the streaming space, attracting millions of users worldwide.
But exactly how big is live streaming? How many people are tuning in? Which platforms are leading the charge?
In this comprehensive guide, we break down everything you need to know about live streaming in 2026.
Live Streaming Statistics: Quick Overview
To give you a snapshot of the live streaming industry, here are the most important numbers you need to know:
| Metric | 2026 Numbers | Change from 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Global Live Stream Viewers | 1.84 billion | +16% |
| Total Hours Watched | 223 billion hours | +19% |
| Streaming Market Value | $247 billion | +21% |
| Twitch Monthly Users | 240 million | +8% |
| YouTube Gaming Monthly Users | 456 million | +14% |
| Facebook Gaming Monthly Users | 145 million | +5% |
| Professional Streamers Worldwide | 78,000+ | +34% |
| Average Viewer Watch Time | 4.8 hours/week | +22 minutes |
| Mobile Streaming Viewers | 58% of total | +6% |
The Big Numbers: Global Live Streaming Audience
Live streaming has truly become a mainstream entertainment medium. As of early 2026, 1.84 billion people worldwide watch live streams at least once per month, representing 23% of the global population.
This figure is higher than the combined subscriber count of Netflix (260 million) and Disney+ (154 million).
The growth has been steady, with a 16% increase from the previous year, showcasing live streaming's continued appeal.
The total hours watched globally in 2025 reached 223 billion hours, a staggering 19% increase compared to 2024.
| Total Hours Watched | Hours (Billions) | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming Streams | 134B | 60% |
| Just Chatting/IRL | 42B | 19% |
| Music & Entertainment | 23B | 10% |
| Educational Content | 12B | 5% |
| Sports & Esports | 8B | 4% |
| Other Categories | 4B | 2% |
Also read about: Fortnite Statistics
Market Size: $247 Billion Industry
The global live streaming market reached a value of $247 billion in 2026, growing by 21% from the previous year.
This market value exceeds the global music industry's $26 billion and the global movie box office's $42 billion.
Here’s the breakdown of the revenue sources in the live streaming industry:
| Revenue Source | Amount | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising | $98B | 40% |
| Subscriptions & Memberships | $67B | 27% |
| Donations & Tips | $43B | 17% |
| Sponsorships & Brand Deals | $28B | 11% |
| Virtual Gifts & Merchandise | $11B | 5% |
Platform Breakdown: Twitch vs YouTube vs Facebook
Three major platforms dominate the live streaming space—Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming. Let's break down how they compare.
Twitch: The Gaming Giant
Twitch continues to lead the live streaming world, particularly in the gaming segment, with 240 million monthly active users. Here’s a closer look at Twitch’s stats for 2026:
| Metric | 2026 Numbers |
|---|---|
| Monthly Active Users | 240 million |
| Daily Active Users | 35 million |
| Average Concurrent Viewers | 3.2 million |
| Peak Concurrent Viewers | 7.8 million |
| Total Hours Watched (2025) | 24.1 billion |
| Active Streamers | 9.8 million |
The most-watched categories on Twitch include “Just Chatting” (22%), League of Legends (12%), and Grand Theft Auto V (10%).
Twitch’s shift towards more diverse content like talk shows and podcasts (Just Chatting) shows the platform’s evolution beyond gaming.
YouTube Gaming: The Rising Challenger
YouTube Gaming, integrated into the main YouTube platform, has seen tremendous growth, now with 456 million monthly users. Here’s a comparison between YouTube Gaming and Twitch:
| Feature | Twitch | YouTube Gaming |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Users | 240M | 456M |
| Live Hours Watched (2025) | 24.1B | 18.7B |
| VOD Hours Watched (2025) | Minimal | 167B |
| Active Gaming Streamers | 9.8M | 6.2M |
| Gaming Videos Uploaded Daily | N/A | 2.1M |
YouTube Gaming has a significant advantage in terms of discoverability thanks to its algorithm, which promotes new content to users.
It also offers both live streams and VODs (videos on demand), providing long-term content visibility.
Facebook Gaming: The Distant Third
Facebook Gaming lags behind Twitch and YouTube, with 145 million monthly active users.
While it struggles with discoverability issues and a demographic mismatch, it performs well in regions like Southeast Asia, especially for mobile gaming.
| Metric | 2026 Numbers |
|---|---|
| Monthly Active Viewers | 145 million |
| Hours Watched (2025) | 5.4 billion |
| Active Streamers | 2.8 million |
| Partnered Streamers | 12,000 |
| Average Concurrent Viewers | 420,000 |
Viewer Demographics: Who Watches Live Streams?
Live streaming appeals predominantly to younger audiences. Here's a breakdown of viewers by age:
| Age Group | % of Viewers | Average Hours Watched/Week |
|---|---|---|
| 16-20 | 23% | 8.2 hours |
| 21-25 | 28% | 7.6 hours |
| 26-30 | 22% | 5.9 hours |
| 31-35 | 14% | 4.3 hours |
| 36-40 | 8% | 3.1 hours |
| 41+ | 5% | 2.4 hours |
The majority of viewers are under the age of 31, which accounts for 73% of the total viewer base. This audience spends more time watching live streams compared to older demographics.
Mobile Streaming Growth
Mobile streaming has become the fastest-growing segment of the industry. In 2026, mobile devices account for 58% of all live streaming watch time, reflecting the preference of younger viewers who are mobile-first.
| Device Type | % of Watch Time | Avg. Session Length |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile | 58% | 32 minutes |
| Desktop/Laptop | 28% | 78 minutes |
| Smart TV | 9% | 124 minutes |
| Tablet | 4% | 41 minutes |
| Console | 1% | 89 minutes |
Content Categories: What People Watch
The live streaming landscape covers a wide range of content categories. Here’s how the hours watched break down:
| Category | Hours Watched (2025) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | 134B | 60% |
| Just Chatting/IRL | 42B | 19% |
| Music & Entertainment | 23B | 10% |
| Educational | 12B | 5% |
| Sports & Esports | 8B | 4% |
| Creative Arts | 3B | 1% |
Gaming remains the dominant category, with 60% of total watch hours. However, “Just Chatting” streams, which cover non-gaming content like talk shows, are growing rapidly, particularly on Twitch.
Streamer Economics: How Much Do Streamers Make?
The majority of streamers earn very little. Most of the revenue is concentrated at the top, with only a small percentage of streamers making a significant income.
| Percentile | Monthly Earnings | % of Streamers |
|---|---|---|
| Top 0.1% | $50,000+ | Elite |
| Top 1% | $10,000-50,000 | ~780 streamers |
| Top 5% | $3,000-10,000 | ~3,900 streamers |
| Top 10% | $1,000-3,000 | ~7,800 streamers |
| Top 25% | $300-1,000 | ~19,500 streamers |
| Bottom 75% | $0-300 | ~58,500 streamers |
Most streamers (75%) earn less than $300 per month. Only the top 5% make a livable income from streaming, with earnings ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 per month.
Future Trends and Predictions
Looking ahead, live streaming will continue to evolve. Here are the projections for 2027 and 2028:
| Metric | 2026 Current | 2027 Projection | 2028 Projection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Viewers | 1.84B | 2.1B | 2.4B |
| Market Value | $247B | $295B | $350B |
| Hours Watched | 223B | 268B | 315B |
| Professional Streamers | 78K | 105K | 138K |
| Mobile Share | 58% | 64% | 69% |
Emerging trends include AI-powered moderation, virtual production, and interactive streaming. These innovations will drive engagement and increase revenue opportunities for creators.
FAQs About Live Streaming Statistics
1. How many people watch live streams in 2026?
Approximately 1.84 billion people watch live streams at least once per month globally. This marks a 16% increase from 2025, making live streaming a major form of entertainment.
2. Which platform is bigger for streaming: Twitch or YouTube?
YouTube has more monthly users (456 million) compared to Twitch (240 million). However, Twitch leads in live streaming hours watched (24.1 billion hours in 2025 vs. 18.7 billion on YouTube). Both platforms have unique strengths in their ecosystems.
3. How much money do streamers make?
Most streamers earn little, with 75% making less than $300 per month. The top 1% can earn between $10,000 to $50,000 per month, with elite streamers earning over $50,000 monthly from subscriptions, donations, sponsorships, and ads.
4. What type of content is most popular in live streaming?
Gaming content dominates, making up 60% of all streamed hours. However, non-gaming content like “Just Chatting” (talk shows, real-life streaming) has grown rapidly, now accounting for 19% of all watch time.
5. What equipment do you need to start streaming?
To start streaming, a basic setup includes a gaming PC or console, a good microphone, webcam, free streaming software (like OBS Studio), and a stable internet connection. For better quality, consider upgrading to a professional microphone, lighting, and camera setup as you grow.
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- Social Media Statistics
- TikTok User Statistics
- Microsoft Teams Statistics
Conclusion: The Future of Entertainment
Live streaming is no longer just a trend; it's become a central part of modern entertainment.
With 1.84 billion viewers in 2026 and the industry valued at $247 billion, live streaming has moved far beyond gaming. It’s a platform for entertainment, education, socializing, and more.
The streaming ecosystem is maturing, with Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook dominating the market. New platforms like Kick are emerging, offering better revenue splits and more lenient content policies.
Streaming continues to grow, driven by mobile-first consumption and the expansion of content beyond gaming.
For streamers, the path to success is challenging, but those who rise to the top can make a career out of it.
However, the vast majority of streamers earn little to nothing, and success is highly concentrated among a small percentage of the most talented and dedicated creators.
The future of live streaming looks bright, with the potential for continued growth, especially as new technologies like AI, virtual reality, and interactive content change the way people engage with streams.
Live streaming is no longer just a hobby or niche; it’s the future of entertainment.
Source: Statista, Livestream.
