Hasan Piker, an American blogger of Turkish origin, is considered one of the most striking examples of how traditional media has weakened in the face of digital platforms in recent years.
Modern.az reminds that the Turkish-American political commentator and streamer living in the US has managed to influence millions of young people with his studio consisting only of a microphone, camera, computer, and a small room. This has created a serious challenge for traditional media with large television channels, expensive studios, and extensive media resources.
Born in the US in 1991, Hasan Piker was first known as a host and commentator on the political media platform "The Young Turks" project. Later, he shifted his main activity to Twitch and YouTube platforms, becoming an individual media figure. Under the signature "HasanAbi," he currently has 1.7 million followers on YouTube. His videos have been viewed 832 million times. On Twitch, his follower count is even higher - 3 million.
During the 2020 US presidential elections, 230,000 people joined the blogger's live debate on Twitch, covering 4.9% of the US audience market. Thanks to this success, he became the most cited and most-watched blogger in live broadcasts. A total of 7.5 million people watched that debate, which revealed Piker's influence on US public opinion, especially among young people.
Hasan Piker mainly talks about US politics, international relations, social problems, economic inequality, wars, technology, and internet culture. His speaking style differs from classic television presenters. He addresses the audience in everyday language, far from a formal and cold style. For this reason, he has managed to attract the attention of Generation Z in particular.
Piker's popularity has mainly increased by commenting on current events during live broadcasts in an emotional, harsh, and sometimes ironic way. He often accuses traditional media institutions of being detached from the elite, not fully reflecting reality, and political manipulation. Interestingly, these criticisms have turned him into one of the main sources of information for young people moving away from traditional media. The blogger, known for his left-wing stance, criticizes US foreign and domestic policy, opposes rules restricting immigration to the country, and demands control over firearm sales.
Experts believe that the Hasan Piker phenomenon is no longer just the success of a single person. This is an indicator of changing media consumption. Public opinion, once shaped only by large television channels, can now be influenced by a streamer sitting in front of a camera in a small room. In this sense, Hasan Piker is considered one of the symbols of the new dominance of digital media over traditional media.
