Twitch, the Amazon-owned streaming site, has confirmed hiking the price of channel subscriptions in the UK, Canada, and Australia beginning next month. Twitch, the Amazon-owned streaming site, has acknowledged boosting channel subscription prices for the first time. In a blog post published on Tuesday, the purple platform explained the reasons for the hike. Tier 1 membership fees will climb in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia beginning March 28, while Turkish subscribers will pay more at all three levels. The first three countries will most likely see a one-dollar/pound hike, while Turkey will see a larger increase—from 9.90 liras to 43.90 liras.
Subscriptions are one of the most important ways that viewers support their favourite channels
There have also been hints of a price increase that may occur in the United States but nothing is confirmed as of now. Mike Minton, Chief Monetisation Officer said: “Twitch streamers rely on our monetisation tools to reach their goals and build their communities. Subscriptions are one of the most important ways that viewers support their favourite channels.” “We have not increased channel sub prices since their inception, and many markets saw reduced prices in 2021. This year we are updating prices in several countries to help streamer revenue keep pace with rising costs and reflect local currency fluctuations.”
While the UK, Canada, and Australia have witnessed an increase in subscribers due to the notion that their respective markets can tolerate such an increase, Turkey may have a different reason. Nowadays, it’s increasingly common to give Twitch subscriptions as gifts, with a portion of the proceeds going to the platform and the streamer. However, their earnings differ depending on the country of origin of the subscription. As a result, many people in Turkey offer bundles of ten, twenty, or fifty memberships, which generates less money than offering simply two or three subscriptions.
Twitch, however, has claimed that the step has been taken to keep up with monetary fluctuations. “Subscriptions are one of the most reliable ways viewers can support the streamers they love. We are increasing subscription prices to drive more revenue to our streamers and help make streaming a more sustainable business for them,” Minton said. Last month, Twitch CEO Dan Clancy’s stated that the service was not profitable, following confirmation of job cuts impacting about 500 people. Therefore, the news of the modest hike does not come as a shock.
Here’s how much will a Twitch subscription increase
Tier 1
United Kingdom
Current rate – £3.99
New rate – £4.99
Australia
Current rate – A$7.99
New rate – A$8.99
Canada
Current rate – C$6.99
New rate – C$7.99
Turkey
Current rate – TRY9.90
New rate – TRY43.90
Tier 2:
Current rate – TRY19.99
New rate – TRY87.90
Tier 3:
Current rate – TRY49.99
New rate – TRY215.90
Twitch’s latest move disappointed the community
Meanwhile, many creators and regular viewers have slammed Twitch after they confirmed the impending revisions on X. “Current exchange rate for USD 5 to CAD is $6.76 and you’re making it CAD 8? That’s messed up.” Fortnite-promotional-banner,” one X user wrote. “Used to have a paid sub and a prime sub every month and was upset that Canadian viewers had to pay more than their US counterparts. With this new outlandish change I can guarantee Twitch will be losing that paid sub every month,” another added. A third user said: “Twitch, it’s not hard to say “increasing” rather than saying “updating” on this tweet.” “The pricing increase doesn’t make sense- it doesn’t reflect the countries’ cost of living comparison to how $5 feels to an average American. Whoever did this pricing list is seriously out of touch with how the common person lives, and this is not reasonable,” another added.