'Twitch with "Quality Limit" Also Suspends VOD Service'

"To Comply with Korean Law... Not Related to Network Usage Fees"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Twitch, the world's largest game streaming platform, is suspending VOD (video on demand) content after lowering the maximum resolution for domestic broadcasts.

On the 10th, Twitch announced the suspension of VOD functions (including clips, past broadcasts, highlights, and uploaded content) for Korean viewers.

Twitch stated, "We have emphasized the importance of complying with Korean laws from the beginning," adding, "(This measure) is part of our efforts to implement the best solution to meet evolving regulatory standards."

Accordingly, Korean Twitch viewers will no longer be able to watch VOD content starting from the 13th of next month, and from early next year, the function to create new VOD content in Korea will also be suspended. Twitch plans to officially specify the prohibition of VOD viewing and creation within Korea through changes to its service terms.

Earlier, in September, Twitch reduced the maximum resolution from 1080p to 720p citing increased service costs. Twitch explained, "While continuously complying with local Korean regulations and requirements, and faithfully paying all network fees and other related costs, the cost of operating Twitch services in Korea has continued to rise and is expected to do so in the future. Therefore, new solutions are needed to maintain service operations in Korea."

Twitch is known to pay network usage fees to domestic Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Recently, as legislative movements regarding network usage fees (amendments to the Telecommunications Business Act) have progressed in the National Assembly, Google has strongly opposed them. Industry interpretations suggest that Twitch’s resolution downgrade is also related to this issue.

However, Twitch clarified that the suspension of VOD services is not related to fee issues. Twitch stated, "The suspension of VOD content in Korea is not related to network fees or increased market costs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.