Twitch streamers are seeking a fairer revenue split • Eurogamer.net

Streamers are urging Twitch to move to a more equitable income distribution on the platform.

An article on Twitch UserVoice, originally added in December 2020 by streamer SaltyWyvern, has gained momentum and has now become the most voted post on the forum. He’s asking Twitch to change both the income split and the minimum payout.

Right now, the Amazon-owned platform offers a 50/50 revenue split with streamers on subscriptions and a minimum payout of $ 100. It’s clear from the votes on UserVoice – nearly 20,000 at the time of writing – streamers are keen to see that change.

This suggestion for @Tic to “Increase the #SubSplit and the lower payout threshold “has now received the most support of all UserVoice ideas.

12,419 votes and counting.https://t.co/ywwBcbLyxR# TwitchNews pic.twitter.com/3MgPKsccP2

– Zach Bussey (@zachbussey) January 6, 2022

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In comparison, YouTube and Facebook Gaming seem more friendly to streamers.

YouTube offers a 70/30 split in favor of streamers, with several ways to monetize flows. It is also possible for streamers to set personalized membership levels, choosing the prices and benefits of the channel.

Facebook Gaming, meanwhile, waived all revenue in favor of streamers. There’s a catch though: this only applies to desktop-purchased subscriptions, although mobile devices represent nearly 80 percent of viewers. Otherwise, the income split is 70/30, just like YouTube.

We are doubling the creators. Facebook has waived all revshares of subscriptions until 2023! Yeah, you’re reading that correctly. You will continue to receive 100% of your subscriptions when you purchase them on desktop.

This applies to Partners, Level Up, and all FB Creators. #CreatorFirst

– Josh (@CatchMeStreamin) June 7, 2021

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Additionally, Facebook Gaming allows streamers to set the price of subscriptions, even if the overall audience lags behind Twitch.

“The current income distribution is too stifling for aspiring streamers,” Twitch streamer Lowco told Eurogamer. “So much so that I think it will become a major factor in the influx of streamers to growing streaming platforms like YouTube and Facebook next year.

Indeed, where the top Twitch streamers will still make millions of dollars with the current revenue split, it’s the smaller streamers who suffer the most with overall revenue spread across the platform.

Lowco says, “Most streamers aren’t able to be full-time, although many would like to be. A higher income distribution could have a huge impact on so many streamers looking to work full-time. or at least to cover their bills. “

Even at the top, however, Twitch streamers love Louis, Dr Lupo and TimTheTatMan are already drawn to YouTube as he seeks to increase its game support.

Twitch, meanwhile, is continually embroiled in the controversy – from heinous raids against marginalized communities, for data leaks and test a boost feature that would apparently help bigger streamers but ultimately no real impact.

Big move right now for Twitch to adjust the revenue split for all streamers. If you want to vote for it, you can do so here: https://t.co/ix1MnpwRZE

– Lowco (@LowcoTV) January 5, 2022

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“Besides a more equitable distribution of income, streamers are really looking for Twitch to improve discoverability and do more to uplift small creators,” Lowco said.

“There are so many talented streamers with wonderful communities that are worth highlighting. These streamers can be very hard to find and there is so much that a streamer can do to be discovered on the platform. . The major feeling right now is that Twitch isn’t doing enough to support small streamers. “

This is why so many streamers are looking to diversify their income, seeking support and donations on alternative platforms like Patreon and Ko-Fi.

However, former Twitch employee Sam Chen posted a Twitter thread suggesting that big streamers on Twitch are a loss leader.

Here is the real economy of #SubSplit market nobody wants to talk about: (or maybe they don’t understand)
1. Big streamers are a leading product, every time someone with an average of 5,000 (probably less) goes live, Twitch loses money. Their paid subscribers will never be enough.

– Sam Chen (@djfluffkins) January 7, 2022

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Chen suggests that “the best chance for Twitch to have a fair distribution of subs is to adopt progressive taxation of larger streamers. The bigger you are, the less you get per subs.” This is unlikely to be a popular solution among the streaming community.

It’s unclear why Twitch is sticking to the 50/50 revenue split. He did not respond to a request for comment from Eurogamer.