Valkyrae’s Triumphant Return to Twitch: Breaking Records in Her First Week

Rachel "Valkyrae" Hofstetter, a name synonymous with streaming excellence, has made a triumphant return to Twitch. In just a week, she’s already reclaimed her spot as the platform's top female streamer, a testament to her lasting influence and the excitement surrounding her comeback. Let’s break it all down.

The Journey: From Twitch to YouTube and Back Again

The Early Days on Twitch

Valkyrae began her streaming career in 2015 on Twitch, quickly gaining popularity thanks to her Fortnite content. Her charisma and gameplay skills made her a household name in the streaming world.

The Big Move to YouTube

In 2020, she made headlines by signing an exclusive two-year deal with YouTube Gaming. This bold move helped her expand her brand, and her partnership with the platform eventually extended to two more agreements.

The Return Announcement

In December 2024, Valkyrae surprised fans by revealing she had completed her final YouTube contract and would return to Twitch. Her first stream back on Twitch was scheduled for January 8, 2025, and the anticipation was palpable.

 

 

A Record-Breaking Comeback

Dominating the Charts

Valkyrae didn’t just return—she dominated. According to Streams Charts, she amassed over 706,000 hours of watch time in her first week back, surpassing other prominent female streamers like VTuber IronMouse.

What’s even more impressive? She achieved this while streaming for just 47 hours during the week, far less than others in the top 10, like IronMouse, who streamed for 60 hours.

Viewer Loyalty

Although her concurrent viewer numbers didn’t exceed those of competitors like by_Owl or Emiru, her overall watch time demonstrated the unwavering loyalty of her audience. Valkyrae’s fans clearly showed up in droves, proving her lasting impact on the streaming community.

 

 

Why the Switch Back to Twitch?

YouTube’s Changing Priorities

Valkyrae recently shared her reasons for leaving YouTube, explaining that the platform’s growing focus on video content—particularly shorts—left its streaming features underdeveloped over the years.

Twitch’s Live Content Advantage

For Valkyrae, Twitch’s dedication to live content aligned more closely with her goals as a streamer. She felt that Twitch’s live-first approach would allow her to better connect with her audience and focus on what she does best.

A Warm Welcome and What’s Next

Valkyrae was overwhelmed by the support she received, calling it “the warmest welcome back to Twitch.” She even teased more streams soon, signaling that this incredible comeback is just the beginning of a new chapter.

With such a strong start, Valkyrae is set to continue her reign as one of the most beloved and influential streamers in the industry. Whether it’s through gaming, chatting, or simply connecting with her fans, her return to Twitch is already shaping up to be a massive success.