As you already may have noticed if you're even somewhat online, US Congresswoman (and bonafide gamer) Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hosted her first Twitch stream last night, a Get Out the Vote promotional effort disguised as an Among Us play stream (or vice versa). The viewership was massive:
Almost 700,000 tuned in on Twitch to watch her play with several streamers and fellow Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. At the broadcast’s peak, some 440,000 people went to the Twitch stream set up by AOC, while another 200,000 or so followed sepaerate broadcasts by gaming stars Pokimane, Jacksepticeye, HasanAbi and Moistcr1tikal.
Many have pointed out that this makes AOC one of the very top streamers on Twitch, but a better comparison point is probably partisan political media. And on that front, her Twitch stream is already competitive with the very top shows on FOX and MSNBC:
Among viewers 25-54, the key demographic most valued by advertisers, Tucker Carlson Tonight finished in first place with an average audience of 781,000 viewers, followed by FNC’s Hannity (775,000 viewers), The Ingraham Angle (624,000 viewers), and The Five (527,000 viewers). MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show was fifth overall with 504,000 viewers.
Yes, these ratings don't count views of those shows on the web and social media -- but then again, AOC's Twitch stream is now being viewed by millions of additional viewers across YouTube and other social media channels as well. Twitch viewership also skews much younger than MSNBC and much much much younger than FOX (median viewer age: 68), which becomes highly relevant in an election season, where motivating young voters is crucial to winning the race.
We can talk loftily about how millennial leaders like AOC and Ilhan Omar are heralding in a new generation in which gaming and virtual worlds are central to their media and social experience. But in a political era such as this one is, the hard engagement numbers are probably more meaningful: When it comes to reaching millennial voters, why would any politician go on FOX or MSNBC, if they have the option of getting far more relevant reach while gaming on Twitch with AOC?
Comments