JTV (Justin.tv) was a popular live streaming platform that allowed anyone to broadcast live video content online. At its peak, JTV had over 30 million registered users and hosted thousands of live streams at any given time. In 2014, JTV was rebranded as Twitch, which is now the leading service for live streaming gaming, esports, and creative content.
While you can no longer watch JTV streams, there are still ways to access archived JTV content and relive some classic moments from the early days of live streaming. This guide will walk through the options for watching old JTV streams and videos.
Accessing the JTV Archives
When JTV transitioned to Twitch, most of the live streaming content was not carried over. However, there are still places online where you can find recordings of old JTV streams and highlights:
JTVArchive YouTube Channel
JTVArchive is a YouTube channel that has uploaded a massive library of classic JTV videos and stream recordings. The channel contains footage from some of JTV’s most popular streams and events like Bob Ross marathons, lifecasting, gaming tournaments, and more. It is one of the most comprehensive archives of JTV content available online.
JTV Highlight Videos
You can find many highlight compilation videos from popular JTV streams on YouTube. For example, searches for “Justin.tv bob ross” or “Justin.tv lifecasting” brings up curated clips showing memorable moments from those JTV streams. These can give you a quick glimpse into JTV’s history.
The Internet Archive
The Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine has archived versions of the JTV website and video player pages, allowing you to replay streams and view chat logs as they originally appeared. It can be like taking a trip back in time to the early era of live streaming.
Reddit Threads and Forum Posts
On Reddit and other internet forums, you may be able to find downloads and recordings of classic JTV streams that users have posted. For example, the r/DataHoarder subreddit has threads where users have shared archives of Bob Ross streams and other JTV content.
Using Replay Software
Some software allows you to replay old video streams by inputting the original broadcast URL. This can recover footage if you have the specific URL of a JTV stream:
VLC Media Player
VLC has a feature where you can open network streams using the “Open Network Stream” option. This may allow replaying a JTV stream if you have the original broadcast URL. However, it is not guaranteed to work for archived streams.
Streamlink
Streamlink is an open-source command line utility that can play streams from many websites. If you have the URL for a JTV stream, Streamlink may be able to fetch and replay the archived footage. Like VLC, success is not guaranteed.
MPC-HC + LAV Filters
The combined use of the Media Player Classic – Home Cinema software and LAV Filters allows opening network streams directly within the player. Entering a JTV URL may allow accessing its archived stream.
Livestreamer
Livestreamer is another command line utility designed specifically for playing live stream and video on demand sources. It may be able to fetch and play old JTV footage from an original broadcast URL.
Watching Key JTV Events and Streams
While the full archives may not be available, there are recordings of some iconic JTV events and streams on YouTube and elsewhere:
Lifecasting
Lifecasting, where people broadcast continuous live footage from their daily lives, was hugely popular on Justin.tv. You can find clips from famous lifecasters like iJustine, EpicMealTime, and more on YouTube.
Bob Ross Marathons
Epic Bob Ross painting marathon streams were a mainstay on JTV. You can watch full archived marathons or highlight compilations on channels like BobRossInc and JTVArchive.
Competitive Gaming Tournaments
Justin.tv hosted many early esports tournaments for games like Starcraft 2 and League of Legends. Recordings of these events have been uploaded to YouTube.
NASA Space Shuttle Missions
Live footage from NASA space shuttle missions was broadcast on Justin.tv back in the day. Launch and landing videos are available on NASA’s YouTube channel.
Political Conventions and Events
Justin.tv provided streams of major political events like the 2008 DNC convention. You can still watch convention footage on C-SPAN’s YouTube channel.
The Legacy of JTV
While Justin.tv ultimately evolved into Twitch, many credit it for pioneering the concept of 24/7 live streaming and creating a platform for unique types of participatory streaming content. Lifecasting turned regular people into stars, while Bob Ross marathons created a communal viewing experience around relaxation TV.
JTV helped make live streaming accessible and appealing to everyday internet users. It kicked off the now-massive trend of video game live streaming by giving players an easy way to broadcast their gaming sessions. The website ushered in a new era of always-on digital video content years before YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and Instagram Live existed.
Though JTV is long gone, its spirit lives on both in the form of archived content and through Twitch’s current dominance of the live streaming landscape. For many fans, watching old JTV videos can be a nostalgic walk down memory lane and a chance to revisit the early days of a medium that has now gone fully mainstream.
Conclusion
While JTV is no longer hosting live streams, you can still take a trip down memory lane and experience some of the legendary broadcasts from its archives. The JTVArchive YouTube channel contains a massive collection of classic streams and highlights. Other sources like Reddit, internet forums, and the Wayback Machine can also help unearth recordings. And videos of iconic JTV events like Bob Ross marathons, gaming tournaments, lifecasting, and NASA missions are widely available online.
Revisiting JTV streams lets you see the humble beginnings of live streaming and appreciate the mark this pioneer platform left on today’s streaming landscape. From lifecasting to esports, JTV introduced many concepts that shaped live streaming as we now know it. Though the full archives may not be recoverable, you can still glimpse key moments and get a feel for JTV’s role in live streaming history.
| Stream Type | Where to Find Archives |
|---|---|
| Lifecasting | YouTube highlights and compilations |
| Bob Ross marathons | BobRossInc, JTVArchive YouTube channels |
| Gaming tournaments | User uploads on YouTube |
| NASA space missions | NASA YouTube videos |
| Political events | C-SPAN YouTube videos |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Justin.tv?
Justin.tv (JTV) was a website created in 2007 that allowed anyone to live stream video content online. It helped pioneer the concept of 24/7 live streaming and grew a large userbase of streamers and viewers.
When did Justin.tv become Twitch?
In 2014, Justin.tv was rebranded as Twitch, focusing specifically on live streaming video games, esports, and creative content. Most of the classic JTV archives did not carry over to Twitch.
Where can I watch old Justin.tv streams and highlights?
The JTVArchive YouTube channel hosts a large library of classic JTV streams and clips. You can also find recordings of iconic streams on Reddit, internet forums, the Wayback Machine, and other YouTube channels.
Can I replay a Justin.tv stream if I have the original URL?
Maybe. Software like VLC, Streamlink, and Livestreamer may allow you to replay a JTV stream from its original broadcast URL. But success is not guaranteed for these archived streams.
What were some popular types of streams on Justin.tv?
Lifecasting, Bob Ross painting, gaming tournaments, NASA space missions, and political events were all popular stream types on JTV and helped pioneer live streaming.
Why is Justin.tv such an important part of live streaming history?
JTV introduced the concept of always-on live streaming to a mass audience years before today’s platforms existed. It helped make live streaming accessible and set the stage for many trends that now dominate the medium.
Final Thoughts
Taking a glimpse into Justin.tv’s archives lets you see the critical role this platform played in live streaming’s origins and evolution. Though JTV is gone, we can appreciate its legacy by looking back at classic streams and appreciating its influence on today’s streaming landscape. While the full archives may not be recoverable, we can still celebrate JTV’s place as a live streaming pioneer through the recordings that remain.