Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Justin.tv shuts down, users asked to switch over to Twitch.tv

Konrad Krawczyk
By

justin tv shuts asks users switch twitch
Image Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/carriewriter/ Image used with permission by copyright holder
Justin.tv, one of the streaming video world’s most recognizable names, has shut down. Justin.tv made the announcement on its homepage.

According to the site, the company that runs both Justin.tv and Twitch.tv, the super-popular video game streaming site, decided that it was in its best interest to divert more resources towards Twitch.tv. As a result of this decision, Justin.tv appears to be the sacrificial lamb, providing even more sustenance for the monster that is Twitch, which was recently purchased by Google for a cool $1 billion.

Recommended Videos

Justin.tv users will likely be displeased with most of the side effects that come about as a result of the shutdown. Justin.tv accounts have been suspended, and are inaccessible. On top of that, videos on Justin.tv can no longer be downloaded, though video archiving and VODs were disabled back on June 15. Pro account holders will get refunds shortly, if they haven’t already.

Justin.tv account holders can switch over to Twitch.tv by completing this form. You must complete and send it by September 5, 2014 in order to be eligible for an account transfer.

Keep in mind that even if you transfer your Justin.tv account over to Twitch, any non-Twitch channels you followed on Justin.tv won’t carry over to Twitch, unless that channel is also transferred. The same goes for your Justin.tv followers; they won’t appear in your Twitch.tv account unless they also transfer over.

Founded by Justin Kan, Justin.tv was a streaming video platform that featured multiple channels, including news, tech, gaming, music, and more. Like other, similar streaming sites, including UStream, Justin.tv provided anyone with a platform to watch and broadcast stuff that they cared about.

However, Justin.tv’s history is peppered with moments of darkness as well. Back in 2008, a troubled youth by the name of Abraham Biggs broadcasted his own suicide on the site. Some users reportedly even encouraged Biggs to take his own life. Others suspected that it was a hoax, while some tried to encourage Biggs not to take his own life. Justin.tv also had its problems with copyright infringement as well.

Though Justin.tv is gone, alternative services will no doubt absorb a significant amount of its user base. There’s the aforementioned UStream, along with LiveStream, and YouTube. Of course, Twitch.tv, which is solely focused on gaming, should see its subscription numbers spike as well.

Topics
Konrad Krawczyk
Konrad Krawczyk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Konrad covers desktops, laptops, tablets, sports tech and subjects in between for Digital Trends. Prior to joining DT, he…
7 best Chromebooks for 2024: the best for every budget
Close up of the Chrome logo on the top of a Chromebook.

Chromebooks might have a hard time competing with Windows laptops and MacBooks, but that doesn't mean they don't have their place. We've reviewed hundreds of laptops over the years, testing for important qualities like performance, battery life, and display quality — and we've found that Chromebooks consistently excel at performance and reliability.

You can find Chromebooks from Google, HP, Lenovo, Acer, and many other branss, and we've dug through them to put together this roundup of the best Chromebooks on the market. They're incredibly accessible devices, and for the right person, a Chromebook can be the best laptop in terms of value.

Read more
The best 17-inch laptop deals from HP, LG, Razer, and more
An HP Omen 17 laptop on a desk.

Long ago, 17-inch laptops were quite rare, and the only times you'd find them was on the best gaming laptops, and that usually meant you were buying a very expensive Alienware laptop. Luckily, a lot has changed since then, and there are a plethora of pretty solid 17-inch laptops for you to pick from, whether you want something budget-friendly or one of the best laptops on the market. Not only that, but pretty much all the best laptop brands have 17-inch laptop options, so if you want to stay within a specific ecosystem or brand, then you can easily do that.

To that end, we've gone out and found some of our favorite 17-inch laptop deals out there, but if you still can't find what you're looking for here, be sure to check out these other great laptop deals as well.
HP 17.3-inch laptop — $329, was $550

Read more
Best Apple deals: Save on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook
Apple MacBook Air M1 open, on a table.

Apple has been a big player in the tech space for a long time, and it has pioneered some of the technology we use today, such as best wireless earbuds and the best smartwatches. If that wasn't enough, it even makes some of the best best laptops and best tablets on the market, so pretty much whatever tech you're looking for, Apple has an excellent version of it. Not only that, but Apple's ecosystem is also easily one of the best available, with only Samsung really competing in that space, and if you're already in the Apple ecosystem, then it makes sense to continue buying stuff from Apple.

Of course, Apple tech can be quite pricey, which is why we've gone out and searched through various big retailers to find you some of the best deals we can find. That includes everything from the MacBook to the AirTag, so hopefully, you can find the perfect deal that fits your needs and budget.
Apple AirTag (4-Pack) -- $80, was $99

Read more