Naver’s CHZZK ascends to the No. 1 streaming platform in just three months of beta service
Naver ( NAVER (186,800 won ▼1,600 -0.85%) ) ‘Chizijik’ surpassed Afreeca TV (125,000 won ▼2,500 -1.96%) in the number of users after three months of beta service and ranked first. It is evaluated that aggressive strategies such as absorbing Twitch users who recently withdrew from Korean services and supporting high-definition broadcasting were effective.
According to Mobile Index on the 5th, Chizijik’s DAU (daily active users) on the 1st was 911,733 (Android, iOS combined), beating Afreeca TV (906,018) to rank first in the domestic streaming platform. The next day, on the 2nd, Afreeca TV regained the lead with 924,775 viewers, but it is noteworthy that this performance was achieved before official service. Chizijik is currently in beta service and is scheduled to be officially released next month.
The industry estimates that this is a scenario that has already been planned, considering Chijijik’s growth so far. On December 19th last year, the day the service started, Chizijik’s DAU was 566,166. This is an explosive response considering that on the same day, the DAU of Twitch and AfreecaTV were 979,112 and 719,904, respectively. Afterwards, Czizyk launched an aggressive strategy to fill the void left by Twitch, which was withdrawing from the country, and to secure users. Starting on the 9th of last month, a subscription succession program was provided for Twitch streamers and viewers. From the 14th of the same month, 60 frames per second broadcasting was expanded, and from the 19th, streamer broadcasting rights were granted to anyone without a separate application.
This aim was successful. In February, Czizyk’s DAU rapidly increased, reaching 651,692 on the 13th, surpassing Twitch (608,093) for the first time since launch and ranking second, eventually surpassing even AfreecaTV within three months of launch.
The industry expects that once Chizijik is launched as an official service, the number of users will increase and it will maintain its solid first place. A Naver official said, “Chizijik is working to provide a more comfortable and enjoyable streaming environment with the goal of officially opening in April,” and added, “We will quickly reflect user feedback to further improve the completeness of the service.” An industry official said, “Right now, it is at the forefront of Afreeca TV, but considering Naver’s brand power and capital, many believe that Chijijik will soon solidify its position as number one.”
Source: Nico Partners / news.mt.co.kr