Advertisement
Engadget
Why you can trust us

Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products.

Twitch streamer DrLupo is defecting to YouTube Gaming

His first exclusive stream airs on August 31st.

Kimberly White via Getty Images

Twitch has lost one of its most popular and well-liked stars to rival YouTube. On Monday, Benjamin “DrLupo” Lupo announced he recently signed a deal to stream exclusively on YouTube Gaming.

The deal comes nearly two years after Lupo signed an exclusive agreement with Amazon-owned Twitch, which was reportedly worth millions of dollars per year at the time. “We wish you nothing but the best in everything that comes next,” Twitch said after the streamer shared he was leaving the platform.

Loaded, the talent agency that represents Lupo, declined to share the details of his deal with YouTube, but the streamer told The Washington Post he’s now “secure for life.” He also told the outlet he plans to make more pre-recorded content. “Obviously, I’ll still be playing video games on YouTube,” he said. “But we have a chance now to do some new stuff.”

In moving from one platform to another, Lupo leaves behind the approximately 4.5 million followers he attracted to his Twitch channel. On YouTube Gaming, he has about 1.7 million followers, suggesting he may not, at least initially, attract the numbers he did previously. His first stream will air on August 31st.