Twitch could bring changes in the future that affect not only streamers but also viewers. The streamers of the platform are less than enthusiastic. MeinMMO reports what lies behind it.
What changes are supposed to happen? Twitter user Nibel summarized what amendments could be coming for Twitch users this summer:
- Incentives for more advertising.
- New compensations, everyone will receive 50% from Twitch, not 70%. Top streamers could negotiate better compensation – now everyone should be treated equally. A subscription from a viewer will bring in Germany about €1.90 gross.
- As an alternative to the new compensations: A new tier system. Twitch will set criteria that streamers must meet to achieve the respective tier. This system could determine future compensation.
- No more Twitch exclusivity, meaning: All streamers can stream on any platform. Whether simultaneously on Twitch and, for example, YouTube or staggered. Until now, this has been contractually prohibited for most.
Streamers are against the possible changes
What do the streamers say about it? Many large and small streamers have commented under the tweet from Nibel and find the change regarding advertising particularly terrible. Twitch is already flooded with ads, and when a viewer opens a stream, they are first confronted with an ad.
Some also expressed concerns about the compensation and stated that the partner program would then differ even less from the affiliate status. The affiliate status is essentially a preliminary stage to becoming a partner. As a streamer, you get fewer emotes for subscribers and fewer advertising opportunities to earn money.
The large streamer Pokimane says that while Twitch can add more ads, they should not interrupt the livestream. She suggests options like a sidebar, picture-in-picture, or as an overlay. Pokimane also understands that ads are necessary for the platform to be profitable; however, they should not disturb the viewers significantly (via Twitter).
Other statements from streamers:
- Peter from PietSmiet asked around: “These are just rumors, and Twitch itself did not want to comment on it, BUT: How has streaming on YouTube developed in your opinion (via Twitter)?”
- aSmoogl says: “For streamers, it makes a lot of sense to stream on YouTube parallel to Twitch, especially when many streamers’ earnings are continuously declining. First, the rules from €4.99 to €3.99, now possibly the 50/50 rule. Does this help Twitch as a platform? Difficult (via Twitter).”
- Jacksepticeye thinks: “What a joke. This makes it worse for everyone, except Twitch itself (via Twitter).”
- Slimecicle says: “No one hates Twitch streamers as much as Twitch itself, LMAO (via Twitter).”
A Twitter user summed up the situation aptly for many:
So, these streamers do all the work, all the time for less compensation while Twitch relaxes and does nothing to ensure they get more? And more ads, so viewers can’t even see the hard-working streamers? This doesn’t make sense to me.
SpyroShurtagul via Twitter
Many streamers only criticized the point of excessive advertising, as most of them already receive the 50/50 share from Twitch. Only a few could negotiate for better compensation.
What is the current advertising situation on Twitch?
How does advertising currently work on Twitch? When viewers enter a channel and do not have a subscription with the respective streamer, ads are played. However, the streamer even has the option to play ads despite the viewer’s subscription. They can simply toggle this in the settings of Twitch.
Smaller streamers who have not even unlocked the affiliate status have no options to regulate advertising. This makes it difficult for newcomers to get a first impression when they are shown razors instead of the streamer.
In addition, ads are automatically played every 30 minutes by Twitch if the streamer has not activated any beforehand. Sometimes there are 7 ads in a row, and you have to wait over a minute before you can continue following the livestream (example via Twitter).
Additionally, there are ad inserts that take place in the middle of the livestream, the streamer is muted but remains visible. These appear also if the Twitch streamer forgot to manually activate ads or is unable to do so. This is what it looks like:
Viewers and streamers are already against the massive ads due to such incidents and the current situation, but the potential changes will likely make things worse.
What does Twitch say about all this? Twitch has not yet commented on the criticism and the changes and has also declined to address it upon request.
Speaking of compensation: Major German Twitch streamers and YouTubers reveal how much money they are holding in their accounts.
