Streamers qualified for Partner Plus to receive a higher revenue share, subject to conditions.
In a significant development, Twitch announced on Thursday the introduction of a new creator tier called Partner Plus, which aims to restore a more favorable revenue split for qualifying streamers. However, this upgraded program comes with certain caveats that may impact aspiring content creators.
Legacy Revenue Share Changes
Last September, Twitch made headlines by revealing plans to modify the revenue sharing model for a select group of streamers. The proposed changes entailed a reduction in the revenue split they previously enjoyed. According to the updated terms, streamers who were already part of the premium arrangement would continue to keep 70% of the initial $100,000 they earn on the platform. However, any revenue beyond that threshold would revert to the default 50/50 share between streamers and Twitch. These modifications were scheduled to go into effect in June 2023, paving the way for the recent announcement.
Introducing Partner Plus
Twitch’s latest initiative, the Partner Plus program, seeks to offer eligible streamers a more advantageous revenue share. Participants in this program will be entitled to receive 70% of the revenue generated from monthly subscriptions and gift subscriptions. This represents a considerable improvement over the standard 50/50 revenue split.
Caveats and Eligibility
While the Partner Plus program brings exciting possibilities, it does come with a set of conditions that may impact streamers. Notably, only the first $100,000 earned annually will be eligible for the enhanced 70/30 revenue breakdown. Any revenue beyond this limit will be subject to the default revenue split.
Furthermore, streamers aspiring to meet the requirements for Partner Plus must sustain a minimum of 350 paid subscribers continuously for three months in a row. This requirement poses a challenge for emerging streamers who are still in the process of building their audience and may limit access to the improved revenue share. Once a streamer meets the eligibility criteria and is accepted into Partner Plus, they will remain enrolled in the program for a duration of 12 months, even if they fall below the 350 subscriber threshold during that period.
Controversial Revenue Share Changes
Twitch’s alteration of the existing 70/30 revenue share arrangement for specific top streamers last year ignited a wave of controversy within the streaming community. Content creators, irrespective of their scale, have consistently voiced their support for a revenue split that better benefits those who produce the content. Former Twitch president and current CEO, Dan Clancy, expressed a vision where all streamers, regardless of their audience size, would operate under a unified set of terms.
Addressing Community Concerns
While the introduction of the Partner Plus program represents a step toward meeting the demands of creators affected by the 50/50 revenue split, concerns about Twitch’s revenue extraction from its content creators persist. The streaming platform’s community remains sensitive to recent changes, following the rollout and subsequent rollback of stringent new branded content rules in response to widespread backlash.
Notification and Launch Timeline
Starting from July through September, streamers who meet the Partner Plus criteria will receive notifications in October, coinciding with the official launch of the program. Twitch hopes that these adjustments will strike a balance between rewarding creators and addressing the ongoing debate surrounding revenue sharing on the platform.
Twitch’s Partner Plus program signals the platform’s commitment to addressing the revenue split concerns of content creators, albeit with certain restrictions. As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, Twitch remains focused on finding ways to support and empower its diverse community of streamers.
