Emmett Shear is leaving Twitch

Twitch is losing its CEO.

Emmett Shear, who co-founded Twitch predecessor Justin.tv in 2007 and has been Twitch’s top executive since 2011, is leaving the company effective immediately, he said in a blog post today.

“With my first child just born, I’ve been reflecting on my future with Twitch,” he wrote. “Twitch often feels to me like a child I’ve been raising as well. And while I will always want to be there if Twitch needs me, at 16 years old it feels to me Twitch is ready to move out of the house and venture alone.”

He added, “I want to be fully there for my son as he enters this world and I feel ready for this change to tackle new challenges.”

Shear will remain with Twitch in an advisory position. Dan Clancy

, Twitch’s president, will take over as CEO.

“I’ve never had more confidence in Twitch’s leadership, in all our people, and in our product, than I do today,” Shear wrote. “[Clancy] cares deeply about the Twitch community, its streamers, and our staff and understands what makes Twitch, Twitch.”

Clancy joined Twitch in 2019 as its executive vice president of creator and community experience; he later became president. He was notably involved with Twitch’s controversial decision to change its revenue split with partner streamers from 70/30 (in favor of streamers) to 50/50. His name was on the September 2022 letter to the community explaining that change.