Hatchet, a wholly owned subsidiary of GameSquare Holdings (NASDAQ:GAME), has published its Q3 2026 Live Streaming Trends Report. The report recorded 29.5B hours watched during the quarter and expanded its coverage to include YouTube Non-gaming and TikTok Live data.
Hatchet said its latest figures bring together live-streaming data across gaming, esports and entertainment. YouTube Non-gaming had previously been left out of the total when the analysis focused on gaming content. The company said the revised approach reflects the range of content contributing to live-streaming audiences.
The Q3 total included non-gaming content from YouTube and TikTok Live. GameSquare CEO Justin Kenna said the quarter reflected viewer interest across entertainment, news and sports, while also describing the ecosystem as stable and diversified.
The report identified the expected launch of GTA VI as a major influence on activity during the quarter. GTA V viewership increased by +22.9%, while Hatchet also reported stronger demand for GTA roleplay content.
Hatchet’s findings also pointed to a limited number of major new game releases during Q3 2026. Breakout events, new releases and continuous creator programming were identified among the factors affecting engagement.
Streamer-led programming was another focus of the report. Ibai’s La Velada del Año VI reached a peak of 7.9M, while Kai Cenat’s Streamer University reached 1.3M. Hatchet said both events recorded peaks comparable with the largest League of Legends and ML:BB tournaments.
The report described substantial movement in creator rankings. TheBurntPeanut and Sakura Miku either lost ground or dropped out of positions, while newer names including DeentheGreat at 139% and Zullyy at 201% were highlighted.
Hatchet provides data and reporting on the creator ecosystem across over 30 platforms, drawing on over a decade of data. Its services include performance benchmarking, campaign ROI and creator intelligence for game publishers, brands, agencies and tournament organisers.
GameSquare describes itself as a media, entertainment and technology company whose platform includes creative services, analytics and FaZe Esports. The company says it helps brands and publishers connect with Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Millennial audiences.
GameSquare said statements concerning future performance, revenue, growth, profitability and the live-streaming market are forward-looking statements rather than historical facts. The company identified risks including its ability to meet objectives, execute its growth strategy, obtain future financing or complete offerings on acceptable terms, use its entertainment and media portfolio effectively, and retain key personnel. It also said actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated.
GameSquare announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Hatchet had released its Q3 2026 Live Streaming Trends Report. The report covers trends across gaming, esports and entertainment in the global live streaming market.
The report covers Q3 2026. Its figures include live-streaming data from YouTube Non-gaming and TikTok Live, alongside the other data included by Hatchet.
Hatchet reported 29.5B hours watched in Q3 2026. The total includes non-gaming content on YouTube and TikTok Live.
Hatchet said it now includes all live-streaming data in its total figures, including YouTube Non-gaming, whereas that figure had historically been excluded to spotlight gaming-only content. The company said the broader presentation reflects the increasing diversification of content driving viewership on live-streaming.
Hatchet attributed the Q3 2026 trends to non-gaming content on YouTube and TikTok Live, the impending launch of GTA VI, breakout events, new game releases and always-on creator formats. The report also identified a lack of big new releases and increased demand for GTA roleplay content as factors in the quarter's trends.
Hatchet reported a +22.9% boost in GTA V viewership during Q3 2026. The report linked the trend to the impending launch of GTA VI and also identified rising demand for GTA roleplay content.
Hatchet highlighted Ibai's La Velada del Año VI, which reached 7.9M, and Kai Cenat's Streamer University, which reached 1.3M. The company said these peaks were on par with the biggest tournaments for LoL and ML:BB.
Hatchet reported that creators experienced a significant shake-up, with names including TheBurntPeanut and Sakura Miku ceding ground or losing positions entirely. The report highlighted fresh faces including DeentheGreat at 139% and Zullyy at 201%.
Justin Kenna, CEO of GameSquare, said the report showed the scale, resilience and continued evolution of the global live-streaming ecosystem. He also described the market as stable and diversified, while noting that viewer interests span entertainment, news and sports.
GameSquare describes itself as a media, entertainment and technology company that helps brands and publishers connect with Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Millennial audiences. Its platform spans creative services, analytics and FaZe Esports, and the company says it operates one of the largest gaming media networks in North America.
Hatchet provides real-time insights into the creator ecosystem across over 30 platforms and with over a decade of data. Its services include performance benchmarking, campaign ROI and creator intelligence for game publishers, brands, agencies and tournament organisers.
GameSquare's shares trade on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol GAME, shown in the source as NASDAQ:GAME.
GameSquare said its forward-looking statements are subject to risks including its ability to achieve its objectives, execute its growth strategy, obtain future financings or complete offerings on acceptable terms, leverage its portfolio across entertainment and media platforms, and retain key personnel. It also cited general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, and said actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated.