For the first time ever, Twitch is increasing the prices for subs

For the first time in its history, streaming platform Twitch is going to be increasing the prices of channel subs that users can purchase. This news comes from Twitch itself, which posted a blog about updates to subscription pricing. According to the company, these increased prices will help streamers retain their current level of income. Twitch also cited fluctuating currency values as a reason for the increased costs.

Twitch sub price increases across different countries

How Twitch works is that channel subscriptions allow users to “subscribe” to a streamer. These subscriptions mostly serve the purpose of showing monetary support to said streamer. Streamers can also decide whether subscribed viewers will be shown ads or not. There are three tiers of subs, each more expensive than the last. Sub prices have varied across different countries due to the different buying power of users across the world. This tradition will remain as sub prices go up next month.

By March 28, Tier 1 subs will reflect increased prices across several countries. The UK, Canada, and Australia are seeing increases of £5 to £6, $7 to $8 CAD, and $8 to $9 AUD respectively. Tier 2 and Tier 3 subs will cost the same for now. However, due to the constant devaluation of the Turkish Lira, Turkish viewers will be seeing increases across all three tiers. From 9.90 TRY to 43.90 TRY for Tier 1, 19.99 TRY to 87.90 TRY for Tier 2, and 49.99 TRY to 215.90 TRY for Tier 3.

Twitch says these changes will only apply to purchases from desktop or mobile web. Changes to purchases from the mobile apps on Android and iOS will be incorporated “in the coming months”. Twitch also said existing subscriptions will renew at the new prices, though users will be notified one month in advance.

Other reasons for the updated prices

While the post obviously paints the Twitch sub price increases as something to help the streamers, there might be other factors at play. Twitch recently laid off 35% of its workforce earlier this year. The company also raised the cost of Twitch Turbo last year. Twitch Turbo is the premium, ad-free Twitch experience that users can purchase. Furthermore, Twitch also made changes to its Prime subs; with streamers now earning less from them. From an outside perspective, it seems an awful lot like Twitch is trying very hard to turn a profit.

Twitch actually loses money each month, and relies on Amazon to bail it out. It’s understandable why the company might be trying to at least break even. However, these pricing updates might also mean many viewers end their current subscriptions as they cannot afford them anymore.