Fariha Bhatti 
In a bid to boost originality, Twitch is banning “waiting room” channels from its platform, but what does that mean and what’s at stake?
Twitch is drawing a line in the sand when it comes to re-run content. While reacting to gameplay, clips, or music, and fan edits are considered creative, Twitch is setting strict guidelines to promote fresh and innovative content. In a new update, the platform is rolling out prompt bans for “waiting room” channels.
Taking to social media, Twitch announced that channels without original content will no longer be allowed. That means waiting room channel owners must switch content approach or delete their accounts.
The new ruling is expected to encourage waiting room channel owners to create original content, leading to a reduction in duplicate and unoriginal content on Twitch. Notably, several popular streamers, including Félix “xQc” Lengyel, Kaitlyn Siragusa, and Tyson “TenZ” Ngo, had their own dedicated waiting rooms, but have since been removed from Twitch for violating community guidelines.
What is a waiting room channel on Twitch?
Twitch defines bannable waiting room content as channels that can be reported under “impersonation” or those that largely re-use other channels’ content without adding commentary, analysis, or other creative elements. This process pulls views and potential revenue away from the original channel owners.
In theory, this will see viewers look to active streamers. It should also see viewers looking for re-runs of popular streamers to use Twitch’s VoDs rather than unofficial re-runs.
Waiting room channels typically serve as fan-led gathering spaces, stashing viewership in the hours leading up to a streamer’s live broadcast. The goal is to collectively raid the streamer’s channel as soon as they go live. During this waiting period, these channels often replay previous streams without adding new content. Additionally, some fans create dedicated channels to continuously stream their favorite streamers’ archived content 24/7.
Content owners who re-run their own content on their original channel are likely exempt from the ban. For example, Felix “PewDiePie” Kjellberg rebroadcasts his old YouTube videos on Twitch without violating the rules since it’s his own content and doesn’t involve impersonation. Similarly, reaction channels that provide commentary and analysis are also exempt, so streamers who actively engage with and review others’ content won’t be at risk of being banned.
What will happen to waiting room channels?
Waiting room channels are likely to be permanently shut down if they continue on after this announcement from Twitch.
Twitch is notorious for its uneven enforcement of its Community Guidelines, but an explicit ban on waiting rooms has been added therein. It’s unknown if warnings will be issued or if things will instantly advance to a permanent ban.
Regardless, the existing waiting room channels will be forced to create their own content with this announcement.
