Best of 2023: Unique Twitch & YT Selections
Explore diverse content creators.
There’s never been a better time to be a content creator. Ten years ago, the idea of creating unique videos and uploading them to gain a following was in its infancy. Thanks to platforms like YouTube and Twitch, which was once focused more squarely on gaming, more creators are active than ever before.
Regardless of what type of niche interests you have, there’s a creator out there for you and a community of dedicated subscribers to join. From DIY crafts to jet engine repairs, it’s all available to stream now. If you’re looking for a hidden gem or your next new obsession, then dive into our list.
We’ve curated some of the best Twitch and YouTube channels from 2023, covering topics from home-cooked meals to defunct rollercoaster rides.
JunsKitchen (YouTube)
Jun has one goal with his kitchen: to delight followers by making unique dishes (oftentimes Japanese candies) from scratch while his cats watch on. If you enjoy cooking content but want a cross-cultural element tied in, then JunsKitchen has hours of entertainment for you. Plus, we’ve also fallen in love with Jun’s commentary and the cute antics of his cat friends, who are always there to support him and try his food. (He even makes meals for them sometimes!)
PokerStars247 (Twitch)
In case you’ve missed the zeitgeist, online poker is hugely popular. Texas Hold’em remains a favorite card game worldwide—and you can watch the pros hash it out on PokerStars247. This channel focuses on some of the top games and moments from PokerStars, one of the top online brands. In case you’re new to the game, you can check out guides that break down how to enjoy watching poker live. Don’t worry—you don’t need to dive deep into poker strategies to follow along or start getting into the action.
Nuria_Adraos_Makeup (Twitch)
Though Twitch is usually focused on gaming (including poker), many non-gaming streamers are making the move from YouTube to Twitch in order to stake their claim on the platform. This is true for Nuria Adraos, who is one of the top names in Twitch’s Beauty & Body Art category. It isn’t hard to see why—many of Nuria’s looks transcend the bounds of makeup and tilt into full-on artistry. Most of her pieces incorporate Nuria’s neck, shoulders, and chest to add dimension and complexity to her looks.
Modern Love (YouTube)
Modern Love was a weekly column series launched by The New York Times back in the early 2000s. Since then, this series has taken on many forms—and now even has an Amazon Prime series. However, we think its YouTube releases are worth a gander. Each video is animated to depict some of the most challenging scenarios of love, told by all types of narrators who have experienced all sorts of triumphs, heartbreaks, and uncertainties.
Pasta Grannies (YouTube)
You guessed it—this channel showcases Italian grandmothers (aka ‘nonne’) creating delectable kinds of pasta. Shows are released every Friday and showcase a different grandmother in her home kitchen. As she cooks pasta dishes (along with other staples like bread and gnocchi), that week’s nonne passes on advice on cooking and other topics, from love to home gardening. Similar to Modern Love, Pasta Grannies has become a bit of a global phenomenon. Since launching the YouTube channel, Pasta Grannies has released two cookbooks full of recipes from their favorite nonne.
Defunctland (YouTube)
This channel has slowed down over the last year, but it was one of our favorite finds in 2023. (Plus, there are eight years of backlogs to wade through.) Defunctland is all about showcasing former theme parks and defunct rides, including some of the more intriguing and frightening tales of how they were decommissioned. But creators also delve into other unique stories related to popular TV shows and characters, from breaking down Disney Channel’s lost shows to uncovering the weird history behind Carmen Sandiego. If you’ve ever wanted to wander into some of pop culture’s strangest territory, start here.
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