Minimum Payout For An Individual Subscription Regardless of Country of Purchase
I'm a Twitch affiliate as of the last year or so. I'm in the U.S. and I got my first few subs locally, resulting in a $2.36 payout for each one. Recently, a follower from Turkey has subscribed to me at tier 1 $4.99. He was also generous enough to gift 2 other subs to the channel. If added up it totals $14.97 in which case I would get $7.48 before exchange rates, taxes, and any other bank fees. After the stream, I went to the earnings page on my dashboard to find that I was only receiving FIVE CENTS PER SUB. Yes that's correct, I ended up with 15 cents USD for the paid sub and the two gifted.
I fully understand that a purchase coming from anywhere but the U.S. will result in a different, possibly lesser payout. I also understand that Twitch is not responsible for taxes and the value of currency. What I don't understand is how Twitch could not have a minimum amount paid out for each subscription. This situation has me really upset and frustrated. How am I supposed to feel good about the job I'm doing or even want to continue with what I would say is an offensively small amount of money. I'm very disappointed in Twitch, and I feel betrayed in a way. This to me is completely unacceptable and something better could be done.
I propose implementing a minimum payout for each sub purchase based on the factors listed above. In my case I would like to see no less than $1 with each sub, which I believe is very reasonable and very doable with a company as big as Twitch. With gaming only getting more popular and more streamers on the rise, it makes me sick thinking about how much money is not ending up where it should, which is with us, the streamers, the ones who often go live just as much as we work regular jobs.
I love the idea of Twitch, I've loved streaming on the platform, I love spreading positivity and connecting with people around the world. Although a little disheartened seeing this happen, I will not stop creating as it gives me an outlet. Also, thank you for giving us the opportunity to voice these concerns.
nazz_the_razz
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Edit: I'd like to add that I've done a little research, and for the portion of the twitch community that may not know, I learned that Twitch Interactive was acquired by Amazon in 2014 for $970 million USD. I did not know this and previously thought Amazon just had a Prime Gaming deal with Twitch. This further adds to the list of reasons why I think it is unacceptable that us creators on this platform are not rewarded with AT LEAST a $1 minimum payout for each sub ("paid" or "gifted" as they are labeled on Twitch)
I realize and understand that Twitch is its own company and brand, however the more research I do, the more I realize how shady it is that an already big and valuable company, purchased and now backed by Amazon for almost 10 years, can't afford to front a small percentage of what's lost in exchange rates. I am also realizing just how offensive the 50/50 split is, based on these facts.
I don't know what goes on between Amazon and Twitch, or any of the 100 or so other companies that Amazon has acquired, but I do know how this info is making me feel about the split and these payouts. It's a feeling of "Mr. Richest Man in the World and all of his executives really don't care about the little guy on the ground floor trying to build him/herself up." I know this was a lot, but this is a big deal to me so I looked into it further. I'm hoping to either make an important change on Twitch that would help make so many peoples' lives better and make me want to stay, or, if that doesn't start to happen soon, I will try other platforms.