In recent years, as the number of people starting to work as VTubers increases, “streaming time” and “streaming time slots” have become crucial factors for success.

Choosing time slots when most viewers gather and creating dynamic streams can deepen connections with fans and extend reach. However, you might wonder about the most effective times and durations for streaming, and what time slots other VTubers choose.

This article elaborates on optimal streaming time slots, trends among other VTubers, and specific methods to maximize streaming effectiveness based on data and statistics. If you want to find the “best streaming time for you,” please read to the end.

What’s the Best Streaming Time for VTubers?

As a VTuber, the length of your streaming time significantly affects viewer satisfaction and retention. Choosing the right streaming duration is vital for gaining fans and progressing efficiently in your activities. Adjust your streaming duration according to your experience and objectives as a streamer.

Streaming Time with Viewer Retention in Mind

The more appropriate the streaming length, the easier it is for viewers to stay focused. Particularly for beginners, it is recommended to start with streams lasting about 30 minutes to an hour. This duration makes it easier for viewers to enjoy without feeling burdened, allowing for smooth streaming while observing reactions.

Recommended Streaming Styles by Duration

Beginner VTubers: 30 minutes to 1 hour

Aim to get accustomed to streaming, ensuring not to cram too much content into a short time.

Intermediate VTubers: 1 to 2 hours

Flexibility to adjust time according to the content, such as chats and gaming streams, is required.

Advanced VTubers: More than 2 hours

Long streams are possible, but it’s necessary to keep viewers entertained with plans or break times.

Long streams also affect the streamer’s health and concentration, so it’s crucial to plan and stream sustainably. Find times when viewers are less likely to drop off and proceed at your own pace.

Keep Viewer Focus! Tips for Long Streams

Succeeding in long streams while maintaining viewer focus requires several tricks. Below are specific points to keep viewers engaged and maintain stream quality.

Include Breaks or Segment Changes Every 15–20 Minutes

During long streams, monotony leads to decreased viewer focus. Therefore, it’s effective to set breaks every 15–20 minutes, change talk themes, or pause game progress for chat time. This way, viewers remain interested in “what will happen next.”

Clarify Your Streaming Purpose

Instead of “just streaming for long hours,” it’s important to clearly define streaming purposes such as chatting, game commentary, or singing broadcasts. Viewers are more captivated by streams with clear themes, leading to sustained focus.

Value Communication with Viewers

By actively interacting with viewers—responding to comments and answering questions—you can make viewers feel like “they are part of the stream.” This helps improve viewer engagement.

Set Up a Comfortable Streaming Environment

To enhance focus, it’s important to create a comfortable environment for the streamer. For instance, reducing noise during streaming and creating a listener-friendly audio setup leaves a good impression.

Maintaining viewer focus requires a planned structure and creativity. Build on efforts to prevent viewer boredom and aim for a compelling stream.

Recommended Streaming Time Slots? Introducing Prime Time

Choosing the right time slot is crucial for effective streaming. Targeting time slots where many can easily watch is a basic strategy. Particularly recommended is “Prime Time,” when many viewers gather.

Here, we explain the characteristics of prime time and tips for choosing time slots.

Characteristics and Time of Prime Time

Prime time (7 PM to 11 PM) is a streaming period where many listeners tend to gather. This time period is when viewers relax after work or school, reaching peak viewer numbers. However, it’s also a time when many popular streamers are active, making it a highly competitive time slot.

Weekday Prime Time: 7 PM to 11 PM

Many viewers, mainly working adults and students in their 20s–30s, seek relaxation after work or dinner during this time. Thus, game streams or chat streams that can be enjoyed briefly are effective. While competition is high, aligning content with your target audience allows efficient viewer growth.

Weekend Prime Time: Morning, 3 PM to 11 PM

On weekends, mornings (6 AM to 9 AM) and 3 PM to 11 PM are notable time slots. Mornings are characterized by fewer streamers and easier acquisition of new listeners. Afternoons to evenings see a rise in viewers across generations, particularly students and families, preferring game streams with a storyline or family-friendly entertainment streams.

Select Time Slots Considering Target Audience

It’s important to understand the lifestyle rhythm of your target audience when deciding streaming times.

For example, if targeting teenage students, starting at 7 PM after school or after-school activities can be effective. Conversely, for working adults in their 20s–30s, slightly later times after 9 PM are suitable. While highly competitive time slots can be disadvantageous for beginners, unique plans or titles can differentiate you, creating opportunities to attract new fans.

Consider Streaming During Less Competitive Time Slots

Alternatively, targeting less competitive hours like late night or early morning for streaming can help you stand out.

Prime time attracts many viewers but is a competitive battleground with popular streamers. Hence, utilizing time slots like early morning (7 AM to 9 AM) or late night (after 11 PM) effectively captures new listeners.

In the morning, aim for commuting viewers, while at night, foster a relaxed atmosphere conducive to interaction, adjusting content according to the time slot.

When considering optimal streaming time slots, it’s essential to adjust streaming content by targeting demographics, combining time slots flexibly to attract and engage a broad listener audience.

Benefits of Fixing Streaming Time Slots and Days

By fixing streaming time slots and days, viewers find it easier to “habitualize” watching your streams.

For instance, regular streams on specific days or at specific times make it easier for viewers to remember “This time is that VTuber’s stream,” and you can expect an increase in repeat viewers. This mechanism is similar to how fixed-schedule TV programs gain many viewers’ support. The specific benefits are as follows:

Listeners Can Join Easily

Your stream becomes easier for viewers to check, potentially increasing regular fans. As listeners understand the streaming schedule, viewing rates stabilize.

Easier Schedule Management for Streamers

It becomes easier to align with your life rhythm, allowing for other activities and rest periods. This also creates room to enhance preparation and content quality.

Efficient Streaming Preparation

Fixing days not only benefits the viewers but also the streamer. For instance, preparing stream content or checking equipment on days off allows for higher-quality streams.

It’s crucial to choose viewable time slots for your audience when fixing days and times. Moreover, a manageable schedule enables sustainable, long-term streaming.

Use Analytical Tools to Find Optimal Streaming Time

It’s effective to use analytical tools to find suitable time slots. Below are methods mainly utilizing YouTube Analytics and Twitch Analytics.

Identifying Viewers’ Active Hours

In YouTube Analytics, using the “When your viewers are on YouTube” section, you can identify when your audience is most active.

Similarly, Twitch Analytics allows for real-time viewer count fluctuations, aiding in determining optimal streaming times.

Analyze Viewer Retention and Playback Time

After streaming, check data on viewer retention and average playback time. By analyzing whether there’s a sharp drop in viewers during specific time slots, you can adjust future streaming times.

For instance, if there’s a high viewer count from 9 PM to 11 PM, consider setting it as a regular streaming slot.

Check Viewing Trends by Day of the Week

Since viewer behavior often differs between weekdays and weekends, data by day of the week is also crucial. Strategies like targeting Friday nights or Saturday afternoons for working professionals, or after-school times for student audiences, can be considered.

Utilize Surveys

Conducting direct surveys with viewers is also effective. Seek opinions on “easily viewable time slots” during streams or through community posts.

By combining these tools and feedback from viewers, you can find the optimal streaming time aligning with your target demographic.

Various Streaming Styles and Time Setting Points

Setting optimal times according to your streaming style and frequency is crucial for enhancing viewer satisfaction and improving the efficiency of streaming activities. Below, we explain the benefits and drawbacks, as well as recommended time settings for major streaming styles.

Daily Streaming

Advantages	Disadvantages	Recommended Time Setting
– Increased frequency of contact with viewers, making it easier to build a loyal fan base. – Increased exposure potential due to algorithm benefits.	– High burden on the streamer, potentially leading to fatigue or decreased motivation. – Viewers might get bored if the same content continues.	1 to 2 hours per session. Continuously streaming daily even for short durations provides a sense of steadiness.

Streaming a Few Times a Week

Below is a summary of the content from the preceding sections in a table format.

Advantages	Disadvantages	Recommended Time Setting
Allows for thorough preparation, enabling high-quality streams. Schedule adjustments are easier.	Viewers might drift away if there’s a significant gap between streams.	2 to 3 hours per session. Scheduling 2 to 4 times a week with fixed days and times is effective.

Spontaneous Streaming

Advantages	Disadvantages	Recommended Time Setting
– Provides a fresh surprise, giving a special feeling. – High freedom for the streamer.	– Viewers might miss out if they’re unaware and unable to participate. – It can be challenging to build a stable fan base.	1 to 2 hours is a general guideline. Utilizing notification features to inform viewers is effective.

It’s essential to create a manageable schedule suitable to your streaming style. Find the style that fits you, and stream efficiently and consistently.

Conclusion

When deciding on VTuber streaming times and slots, it’s crucial to consider viewer focus, lifestyle, and competition. For beginners, starting with streams about 30 minutes to an hour long and adjusting based on viewer reactions is advised.

While prime time from 7 PM to 10 PM is popular for streaming slots, competition is fierce. By targeting midday or late-night slots, you might attract unique audiences. Fixing stream days and start times helps viewers join easily, contributing to stable viewership and building trust.

Analyze viewer data to find the best timing and streaming style for more efficient streaming.

What’s Next Once You’ve Set the Stream Time?

This time, we explained how to choose the optimal streaming time for VTubers.

Once you’ve set a stream time, why not focus on the “design of your streaming screen” next?

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