Online livestreaming platforms as a subculture

In this study, online livestreaming platforms are analyzed as a subculture and the elements of this culture are tried to be revealed. Raymond Williams' theory of culture was determined as the theoretical basis of the study, and in this context, a literature review was conducted to understand the technological, social, and cultural background that determines, influences, and creates the culture of online live streaming platforms. In this regard, firstly, the literature on livestreams was examined, and then online culture was presented in the context of the concepts of participatory culture, the culture of real virtuality and virtual communities. Netnography was chosen as the methodology of this research, which was designed as a cultural study, and participant observation was conducted for four years. In addition to the participant observation notes, which are the data source of the research, interviews were conducted with members of the audience communities of the online livestreaming channels participated in. These two main data sources were coded and analyzed in accordance with thematic analysis. The findings obtained from the analyzed data were interpreted and the elements of the culture of online livestreaming communities were revealed and these elements were explained in the conclusion section. Keywords: Livestreaming, Subculture, Online Culture, Virtual Communities, Netnography.