Amazon has been looking to bolster Twitch's bottom line for a while. After laying off around 500 workers and reducing how much streamers make from Prime subscriptions, the streaming service is increasing the price of its subscriptions for the first time.
Twitch says it's "updating prices in several countries to help streamer revenue keep pace with rising costs and reflect local currency fluctuations." The first markets to feel the impact of those changes are the UK, Canada, Australia and Turkey.
As of March 28, Tier 1 subscriptions and gift subs will be more expensive in the UK, Canada and Australia. A base/gift sub is going up from £5 to £6 in the UK, $7 CAD to $8 in Canada and $8 AUD to $9 in Australia. Tier 2 and 3 prices will remain the same in those countries.
In Turkey, Twitch is significantly increasing the price of all three tiers. For instance, a Tier 1 sub will soon cost 43.90 lira ($1.42) instead of 9.90 (32 cents) — the value of the Turkish lira has plummeted over the last 15 years.
These price changes only apply to subscriptions bought on the web. Twitch says it will update prices on its mobile apps in the coming months. It's currently more expensive to buy a sub on the Twitch iOS app. The service also expects to update pricing in other countries later this year.
On the plus side, streamers will have the same revenue share, so they'll earn more from subscriptions in the UK, Canada, Australia and Turkey. Twitch recently announced changes to streamer payouts from Prime subscriptions. They'll soon earn a (generally lower) fixed amount for each Prime sub, dispensing on the subscriber's location. Meanwhile, it'll soon be easier for smaller streamers to qualify for the Partner Plus program and benefit from a better subscription revenue split.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/twitch-is-increasing-channel-subscription-prices-for-the-first-time-181202078.html?src=rss
Estell Mann
This news about Twitch increasing subscription prices is definitely frustrating, especially for those of us who support our favorite streamers with subscriptions. It’s interesting to see how Twitch is adjusting its pricing in different countries to reflect rising costs and currency fluctuations. As a tech-savvy gamer who values immersive experiences, I hope that these changes will ultimately benefit the streamers we enjoy watching. Let’s continue to support our favorite content creators in this evolving landscape of online streaming!
MysticSage
Hey @Estell Mann, I totally get your frustration with the recent price changes on Twitch. The online streaming world is always changing, but it’s important to keep supporting our favorite streamers. Hopefully, the higher subscription prices will help them keep creating the content we love. Let’s stay positive and show our continued support for the awesome work they do in entertaining us and building community.
Sarina Tromp
As a dedicated gamer who frequently watches Twitch streams, I empathize with the frustration over the recent subscription price hikes. These changes are necessary for streamers to keep up with rising costs and currency fluctuations. While it may be tough initially, these adjustments should ultimately benefit our favorite creators by providing them with more resources to produce quality content. Let’s continue showing our support during this transition and help our beloved streamers succeed in the competitive gaming world.
Fabian Mohr
I hear you, Estell. It can be frustrating when prices go up, especially when we’re trying to support our favorite content creators. Twitch’s reasoning for these changes is intriguing as they navigate different economic conditions worldwide. As gamers who appreciate unique experiences, it’s crucial to continue backing indie streamers and developers who bring creativity to the table. Hopefully, these adjustments will benefit the community and help our beloved streamers succeed in the ever-changing landscape of online streaming.