Zoom has added Twitch integration to its app, allowing users to livestream meetings straight to the public for emote-based judgement. Don’t get too excited to broadcast your next Dungeons and Dragons session, though.
Announced on Wednesday, the new connectivity feature lets users go live on Twitch directly from the Zoom desktop client, linking their accounts on both platforms. While it was certainly possible to stream Zoom meetings to Twitch prior to this update using third-party programs, the in-app integration should make it much easier to do so.
Unfortunately, there are a few caveats. Livestreaming Zoom to any platform has previously been considered a paid privilege, and that app’s new Twitch integration is no exception. Zoom’s in-app Twitch connectivity thus isn’t available for free users, only working on paid Pro, Business, Enterprise, or Education accounts, and even then only for licenced users of those accounts. The cheapest is the Pro tier, which will set you back $149.90 per year per licence.
Livestreaming direct to Twitch also requires the streamer to use Zoom’s desktop client, so you can’t just start up your web browser and call it a day. Though if you’re paying for Zoom, chances are you’ve downloaded the client at the very least.
“To help our customers streamline the process of sharing content within their communities and extend their reach, account owners and admins can now allow hosts to livestream their meeting or webinar to Twitch directly rather than manually configuring the stream as a custom livestreaming service,” said Zoom in a blog post.
While Twitch made its name as a streaming platform for people playing video games, its users have significantly diversified since its inception. Streamers regularly broadcast everything from podcasts to roleplaying sessions to mukbangs, making the ability to stream a video call an attractive prospect to some.
However, unless they’re already making Critical Role-level bank on their Twitch stream, many creators will probably pass on paying for a Zoom account just for this feature.
