Twitch Is Experimenting With Guest Stars, Channel Surfing, Shared Bans | PCMag

Twitch is currently experimenting with a couple of features that, at least in theory, would make it easier for viewers and streamers alike to have a positive experience on the streaming platform.The first feature is called Guest Star. It’s supposed to make it easier for streamers to bring other people—whether they’re viewers or fellow content creators—into their livestreams. Tweet(Opens in a new window) The second feature is called Channel Switcher. Twitch announced the experiment, which allows viewers to preview streams without navigating to the site’s homepage, in a June 30 tweet: Tweet(Opens in a new window) Twitch told The Verge(Opens in a new window) that “only a small percentage of users who are logged in” have access to Channel Switcher. The company also clarified that Channel Switcher would allow viewers to watch up to a minute of a given stream without being interrupted by advertisements.The third feature is tentatively known as “shared bans.” It too was revealed on June 30, but instead of being showcased by Twitch itself, the feature was spotted by Zach Bussey: Tweet(Opens in a new window) The idea behind shared bans seems fairly straightforward. Instead of requiring streamers to ban known trolls from their chats on…
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