TikTok will be competing with Twitch by introducing TikTok Live Studio

If you’re an avid user of TikTok, you would definitely have noticed the livestreams on the app that would show up every now and then. Whether or not you’re a fan of them, the platform is aiming to make it livestreaming more of a thing—as they have been testing a Windows program called TikTok Live Studio.

Twitter user Zach Bussey tweeted that TikTok has “quietly launched” TikTok Live Studio, which is described as its own streaming software. With the Windows program, users would be able to log in using their TikTok account and stream directly to the app.

Users will also be able to add in sources like game capture, mobile capture, video capture, program capture, and text/images. Emojis are limited to the stock emojis. Bussey noted that the program is “super basic in its current state”.

TikTok Live Studio is only available in “a handful of Western markets for a few thousand users”. But it isn’t guaranteed to roll out, as the company said that “whenever TikTok tests a feature, that doesn’t mean it’s here to stay forever”. The goal of the feature test is to see how creators use the software. 

If you’re not familiar with what TikTok livestreams, TikTok lets its users go “live”, which users can easily use to monetise their time on the platform. In order to take part in the live format, users need to fulfill two requirements—they must be over the age of 16, and their account must have over 1,000 followers.

Their current live format seems to be a lot like Bigo Live, which I’ve covered before. Bigo Live lets users go live and make whatever content they want to do, and in turn, viewers would be able to “gift” them with items. These “items” would accumulate to money—and it’s not just petty cash. A Bigo broadcaster I’ve interviewed mentioned that she had earned up to RM15,000 a month just through live-broadcasting. However, a platform like this could possibly encourage users to make un-wholesome content to earn more money.

Creators are already using TikTok’s livestreaming tools to monetise and expand their following. Creators can also accept tips, schedule events, use live Q&A tools, go live with other users, filter certain keywords and assign moderators.

TikTok Live Studio could also mark an opportunity for TikTok to reach more desktop users. A smartphone isn’t built to connect to your gaming console and stream at the same time.

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