DALSI, Streamers Games, GP Explorer… Why Twitch started imitating TV

Dance competitions, car races, talk shows… the content streamed on Twitch increasingly resembles TV shows. But the co-production between Michou and TF1 represents a new stage in the rapprochement between the two media.

Tango, rock and foxtrot on social networks. For three weeks, the cult of TF1 appears Dancing with the stars You have conquered the Twitch platform.

First edition of Dancing with the stars of the internet (DALSI), a variation of the popular mainline dance competition, brought together six of the web’s biggest celebrities on the floor: Natoo, Gaelle Garcia Diaz, Baghera, Domingo, LeBouseuh, and Nico_Tine.

Nearly 300,000 spectators gathered on average for the big premiere, with a peak of up to 400,000 people simultaneously on Michou’s Twitch channel. Sign up for the Creator Channel.

Friday, March 29, is the final. For this occasion, it will be a show that will see Nato and Domingo compete on the track Live broadcast on TF1 channel.

A tradition that continues for several years

This isn’t the first time the streaming platform has adopted TV codes. Very early on, creators took over popular PAF shows with a Twitch twist.

In 2018, streamer Domingo launched Toq Chef, a concept largely inspired by the Top Chef cooking competition on M6. In the same year, streamer Jiraiya premiered The Big Quiz, a general knowledge show largely inspired by its name, on TF1.

It has been a long time since the platform launched weekly talk shows. Among the most followed, we can mention beautifulthe show hosted by streamer Maxime Biaggi twice a month on Twitch, or the show popcorn, created in 2019 by Domingo. Filmed on location with the host, columnists, guests, and about a dozen people backstage, these programs have everything resembling an American-style talk show.

The most obvious example remains GB Explorer, an F4 car race organized on the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans by Squeezie. All of this is broadcast live as the F1 Grand Prix on Canal+.

Paradoxical convergence

There is a paradox: Young people are abandoning streaming TV and rushing to their Twitch counterparts.

No wonder Pontus Eskilsson, Vice President and Head of Global Partnerships at Twitch, says: “Events like The GP Explorer or Eleven All Stars from Aminematue can resemble, in form, what we see on TV. But the substance is clearly different.”

An observation shared by Jonathan Condesa, an OTTA strategist and Twitch specialist. He believes that “what makes the difference on Twitch is embodiment. Streamers have this extra something, this spontaneity that is not possible on TV.” In his view, viewers don’t come to Twitch so much for a concept as for a character.

Another big difference is chat interaction, which remains at the heart of the experience. “On Twitch, everyone can participate,” says Pontus Eskilsson. “Viewers are an integral part of the show and can shape it.”

A real turning point

But if television has long been a source of inspiration for content creators, DALSI represents a turning point in the relationship between the two mediums. In fact, it is a co-production between Michou and TF1/BBC.

“Twitch streaming on a TV channel is a first of its kind,” says Jonathan Condesa excitedly. “This is a new phase in the convergence between the live streaming platform and the PAF.”

For some time now, the front page has been focusing on social media by casting an internet star in every Dancing with the Stars promo. “But with DALSI, TF1 plays the Twitch card to the fullest,” recalls Jonathan Condesa. “They make their studios, juries, dancers, and even a spot on their schedule available.” So the first test is expensive. But who can pay off big.

A win-win process

For TV channels, the goal is twofold: to attract young people and rejuvenate their audience. TF1 is not the only one betting on these new co-productions. FranceTV announced the event without controversy In Streamer games, A competition in which 32 Internet stars compete in Olympic events. The show will be broadcast on FranceTV as well as on the Twitch channel of the ZeratoR streamer.

Hence, it is a win-win process, as content creators hope to break the glass ceiling. In fact, for several years, the growth of the leading US live streaming platform has been stagnant.

“Co-producing a show with TF1 is an opportunity to attract new viewers who don’t necessarily have the desire to go to Twitch,” confirms expert Jonathan Condesa.

Therefore, the success of DALSI broadcast on TF1 is essential. Good audiences can encourage channels to form new partnerships with streamers.