Twitch is launching a competitive reality series that could help one up-and-coming streamer make the move to being a full-time personality on the platform.
Twitch announced today it will produce a new reality TV series, Stream On, a competition in the same vein as American Idol or America’s Got Talent. Streamers who reside in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom will be able to compete for a grand prize of $60,000. Streamers will “face challenges designed to test important streamer skills, and be evaluated by a panel of Twitch judges,” according to Twitch. Since the production is also being done completely through Twitch, the series’ top streamer should also see some heavy promotion on the front page.
Like American Idol, viewers will play a big part in Stream On. Twitch’s popular chat sidebar will help decide which contestants make it through to the next round. The series will take place across a number of channels on Twitch, changing from week to week “as contestants compete throughout each week from their home streaming setups, and the action will be punctuated by a weekly recap and elimination show from Twitch Studios,” Twitch said.
Twitch is currently accepting applications for the series, but considering this is an in-house production, expect the company to be selective in who it picks to represent the service. Aspiring competitors must be part of Twitch’s Partner Program and at least 18 years old.
The grand prize of $60,000 will be delivered to the winner in $5,000 monthly stipends over the course of a year. Those who meet the requirements and want to apply for the series can do so on Twitch.
Twitch says Stream On is geared toward streamers who “are right on the cusp of making streaming full-time a possibility. Streamers who are below the threshold of partnership might not benefit much from participating, and would be at a disadvantage in challenges.”
Stream On is set to debut in March 2018.
Correction: This story has been updated to clarify requirements for participating in Stream On. Applicants will need to be an official Twitch Partner, but there is no set subscriber or follower count required to take part.