When you think about the biggest names on Kick.com, one streamer immediately comes to mind. At just 24 years old, Adin David Ross has become one of the platform's most recognizable faces, pulling in tens of thousands of viewers during his regular streams. With nearly 1.8 million followers on Kick and a peak viewership that hit an incredible 583,000 viewers back in August, he's proven that his move from Twitch wasn't just a career pivot—it was a power play.
Ross didn't start at the top, though. Born in Boca Raton, Florida, to a family originally from Israel, he began his streaming journey in 2019 as a teenager obsessed with NBA 2K. His dedication was intense—he famously skipped his high school prom just to stream on Twitch. That commitment paid off when he connected with Bronny James, LeBron's son, through the gaming community. Their friendship became a turning point, doubling his viewership from 2,000 to 4,000 almost overnight. Soon enough, Ross found himself living in a Hollywood Hills mansion that had previously housed TikTok star Charli D'Amelio.
What sets Ross apart isn't just his gaming skills—it's his ability to create moments that people can't stop talking about. He's collaborated with major celebrities, had Lil Uzi Vert record a music video on his channel that racked up over 10 million views, and even interviewed Donald Trump during the 2024 election cycle. His content spans from Grand Theft Auto V gameplay to celebrity interviews, but it's his unfiltered, often controversial personality that keeps viewers glued to their screens. He's not afraid to dive into drama or share his unvarnished opinions, which has earned him both devoted fans and vocal critics.
The transition to Kick came after a permanent ban from Twitch in early 2023. While the exact reasons remain somewhat murky, Ross suggested it had to do with an unmoderated Kick chat box appearing during his Twitch stream. Rather than fight the ban, he embraced the change, securing a significant deal with Kick and becoming one of their flagship creators. The move has clearly worked in his favor—his recent streams average over 51,000 viewers, and he's carved out a unique space on the platform where his bold content style fits right in.
Ross represents a new generation of streamers who've mastered the art of turning controversy into content gold. His associations with figures like Andrew Tate have sparked debates, but they've also kept him in headlines and brought massive viewer numbers. Whether he's making headlines for his latest celebrity guest or stirring up drama in the streaming community, Ross has proven he knows how to stay relevant in an increasingly crowded digital landscape. At 24, he's already built what many would consider a streaming empire, and his influence on Kick.com continues to grow with each stream.
The streaming landscape has seen significant shifts recently, particularly with high-profile streamers like Adin Ross and Amouranth making the move from Twitch to Kick. This transition raises questions about the motivations behind such decisions and what Kick offers that Twitch does not.
Some of the biggest names in streaming who have made the move to Kick include:
xQc: Signed a massive $100 million deal with Kick, one of the most significant contracts in streaming history.
Amouranth: One of the highest-profile female streamers to join Kick, signing with the platform in June 2023.
Adin Ross: Moved to Kick after facing multiple bans on Twitch, becoming an investor in the platform.
Trainwreckstv: Co-founder of Kick and one of the first major streamers to switch, known for his outspoken support of the platform.
GMHikaru: Popular chess streamer who signed a non-exclusive deal with Kick in March 2023.
Tfue: Fortnite legend and one of the earliest streamers to break the 10 million follower mark on Twitch, recently announced his return to streaming on Kick.
These high-profile moves have drawn significant attention to Kick, with the platform reaching 100 million hours watched in a month, just a year after its launch.
Kick, a relatively new player in the live-streaming arena, has quickly gained traction by positioning itself as a creator-friendly alternative to Twitch. One of the most enticing aspects of Kick is its revenue split, which allows streamers to retain 95% of their earnings compared to Twitch's standard 50%. This significant difference in profit-sharing is a primary motivator for many streamers seeking to maximize their income.
Additionally, Kick offers a $16 per hour payment for streaming, determined by viewer count rather than follower numbers, which provides an immediate financial incentive for creators to switch platforms. This is particularly appealing for streamers who may feel undercompensated on Twitch, where the revenue model has been criticized for squeezing creators financially.
Another crucial factor driving streamers like Adin Ross and Amouranth to Kick is the freedom of content that the platform offers. Twitch has gained a reputation for its frequent and sometimes controversial bans, often punishing streamers for content deemed inappropriate or against community guidelines. For instance, both Ross and Amouranth have faced bans on Twitch for various reasons, including the nature of their streams and the guests they host.
Kick, on the other hand, has a more permissive approach to content moderation, allowing for a wider range of streaming categories, including gambling and adult content, which Twitch has restricted. This flexibility enables streamers to explore different types of content without the fear of sudden bans or demonetization, making Kick an attractive option for those who want to push the envelope creatively.
While Kick is growing, it still has a significantly smaller audience compared to Twitch, which boasts millions of active viewers at any given time. For established streamers like Ross and Amouranth, the challenge lies in whether their existing fanbase will follow them to a new platform. Despite this risk, many creators see the potential for growth on Kick, especially if they can help drive the platform's audience numbers up.
Twitch's dominance has created a sense of community that is hard to replicate elsewhere. However, Kick's streamlined interface and commitment to supporting creators can foster a new type of community, albeit one that is still in its infancy. Streamers must weigh the benefits of higher earnings and creative freedom against the potential loss of their established audience.
As more streamers make the switch to Kick, the platform's long-term viability will be tested. While it has attracted notable figures like Adin Ross and Amouranth, questions remain about its sustainability and ethical considerations, given its backing by a gambling company. The rapid growth of Kick has already led to discussions about the implications of such partnerships and the type of content that will thrive on the platform.
In conclusion, the migration of streamers like Adin Ross and Amouranth from Twitch to Kick highlights a significant shift in the streaming landscape. With better revenue opportunities, greater creative freedom, and the potential for a new community, Kick presents a compelling alternative for creators looking to maximize their impact and earnings in an increasingly competitive environment. As this trend continues, it will be fascinating to see how both platforms adapt and evolve in response to the changing needs of streamers and their audiences.
Kick has rapidly gained traction as an alternative to Twitch, attracting high-profile streamers like xQc, Amouranth, Adin Ross, and Tfue with its favorable revenue split and less restrictive content policies, sparking a debate over the future of streaming
Adin Ross, a polarizing streaming figure known for his celebrity collaborations, controversially paid 21 Savage $250,000 for a stream, which led to accusations of attempted scamming, while continuing to push boundaries on platforms like Kick.
Twitch excels in community engagement, YouTube offers discoverability, and Kick provides favorable revenue splits for new streamers.
Adin Ross hosted Donald Trump on a Kick livestream, drawing over 580,000 viewers. The event included political discussions and gifts, showcasing the growing influence of streamers in politics despite some controversy.
Kick
