Non-Partner Twitch Streamers Can Sell Subscriptions

Streamers on Twitch who are not affiliates and belong to the affiliate program will be able to earn money starting this week by selling subscriptions to viewers of their channel. Until now, this option was only available to partners.

Affiliates get the same subscription options to sell as partners: $5, $10, or $25. Viewers can support their favorite streamers with these monthly amounts. Unlike partners, affiliates cannot unlock a maximum of 50 different emotes; affiliates can offer a total of three additional emotes to streamers who subscribe, one for each subscription price. Affiliates also have access to a chat feature that is open to subscribers only.

Twitch partners receive a percentage of subscription revenue; the rest is revenue for Twitch. Depending on the popularity of the stream, in some cases partners may agree on a different distribution key with Twitch. It is unclear whether this will also apply to affiliates.

The affiliate program was introduced by Twitch in April. This group consists of streamers who have broadcast at least five hundred minutes in seven different sessions during the past thirty days and who managed to reach an average of three simultaneous viewers. There must also be at least fifty followers. If these conditions are met, you will receive an invitation from Twitch to join the program.

The video platform has been working for some time to bring the rights of affiliates more in line with the rights of partners. For example, a few weeks ago, Twitch introduced the opportunity for affiliates to earn money by selling games and in-game items. That option already existed for partners. When a game or an in-game item is purchased, the streamer will receive five percent of the purchase amount.

Before the option to sell games became available to affiliates, they only had the opportunity to monetize the ‘Cheering with Bits’ feature. The feature allows viewers to purchase certain emoji, aka Bits, in their own currency. They can then use it in the chat. If they do this, the streamer gets 1 cent for every Bit used.