Southeast Asia’s Facebook stars, YouTubers and TikTok live-streamers cash in as Covid-19 sends demand for indoor entertainment rocketing

Locked-down audiences have been a boost for the increasing number of young people who make money by live-streaming themselves doing everything from playing video games to giving cooking lessons

Amid rising unemployment, it is a tempting source of income that is open to all thanks to platforms like TikTok and Facebook. But the more people stream, the harder it is to make a steady stream of money

Reading Time:4 minutes

Live-streamer Shu Faye Wong and her all-pink gaming setup. Photo: Handout

Published: 2:00pm, 10 Jul 2021Updated: 3:16pm, 12 Jul 2021

At 10am in the morning, Nauman Pasha begins his workday. After putting on his headphones and settling down into his high-backed chair, he flips on the switch on his computer.

But instead of meeting his colleagues over Zoom, he starts bantering with hundreds of strangers on Facebook.

The Singapore-based 32-year-old used to work on automation programmes and projects for clients as a digital manager. Today, he spends his time playing games, cracking jokes and keeping his loyal following of 43,000 people from Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia entertained.

And just like his old job, his new job also pays the bills.

“I’ve been streaming for one year now and it’s been great,” Pasha said. “My audience has been very supportive.”

Pasha’s new life only began after his old one ended at the height of Covid-19.

“When the pandemic hit and we all had to stay home, I decided to game more often. One day, one of my friends suggested I should start live-streaming,” Pasha explained. “I decided to give it a try and it worked well for me.”

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x