Here is a first for Netflix – the streaming platform will allow streamers to broadcast the first episode of an upcoming show on Twitch.
That show is Riot Games’ Arcane series, which is a fantasy series that uses League of Legends as a jumping off point. The series hits Netflix on 6th November and streamers will be able to stream the first episode without prior approval from Netflix.
Experience the first episode of #Arcane with your favorite streamers, representing 40+ countries and broadcasting in 20+ languages on @Twitch.
Runeterra awaits, see you November 6th. pic.twitter.com/6kB4rDyt8n
— Arcane (@arcaneshow) October 18, 2021
Effectively, this means you could watch the first episode on Twitch along with your favourite streamer. Hopefully the streamer doesn’t talk through the entire thing.
“Interest in deeper storytelling from our global player base played a big part in our decision to make Arcane, so it’s only right that they will be able to watch the first episode of Arcane together as a community,” cross-product experiences and partnerships lead at Riot Experience, Brandon Miao said in a statement to The Verge.
It doesn’t appear as if this agreement between Netflix and Riot Games extends beyond the first episode. This makes sense as Netflix would be mad to allow streamers to broadcast the entire series to their audience for free. It would be nice of them yes, but the play here is clearly to bring more subscribers to the fold by giving them a first taste.
