Viewers who want live broadcasts alongside real-time conversation can follow creators and join their communities with Twitch for Windows. Streams span gaming, music, and other topics, with channel chat built into the viewing experience.
Live channels and categories
Twitch organizes streams into topic categories, including games being played. Browsing these sections gives viewers a way to find live channels beyond the creators they already follow. The service also covers music and other interests, so discovery is not limited to gameplay.
A channel page brings the broadcast and its community together. Saved clips offer a way to watch selected moments from a stream, while the live feed shows what is happening now.
Channel chat and community
Live chat runs alongside the broadcast, where viewers can respond to the creator and talk with other people watching. Messages become part of the ongoing channel conversation as events unfold on screen.
Following a creator keeps that channel in a viewer's orbit, and Twitch can notify followers when a channel goes live. Subscriptions and Bits are also channel support options available through the platform.
Finding streams to watch
Start with a game or topic category, then open a channel to watch its current stream or browse clips. Following channels provides a direct route back to familiar creators, while category browsing can surface other communities and broadcasts.
Live content depends on the creator's schedule: a channel may have no active broadcast when its streamer is offline. Clips provide recorded highlights, but they do not replace the live chat experience.
Pros
- Browse live channels by game and other categories
- Chat with viewers and creators during broadcasts
- Follow creators and watch saved clips
Cons
- A channel's live broadcast is only available when its creator is streaming
Can viewers chat while watching a Twitch stream?
Yes. Channel chat appears alongside the live broadcast, where viewers can talk with the creator and other viewers.
How can viewers find new Twitch channels?
Browse categories such as games or music, or open a channel's clips to see selected moments from its streams.
What does following a creator do?
Following keeps the creator's channel easy to find and can provide a notification when the channel goes live.