Twitch announces Affiliates, a way for smaller channels to make money

Twitch is adding a new tier between Partnered and non-Partnered channels.

Twitch has revealed the Affiliates programme, a way for non-Partnered streamers to make money on the platform and grow their community to a point that gets them the partnership.

A Twitch Partnered streamer gets access to a suite of tools, emotes, and other benefits they can offer to their audience. The biggest advantage of a being Partner, however, is the revenue share a streamer gets from ads, Cheering, and subscriptions. Up until now, being a Partner was the only way of making money off streaming, outside of off-site donations.

The Affiliate programme allows smaller streamers access to Cheering with Bits, meaning the viewers can tip using the new currency. The programme is launching soon, and select streamers will be invited for the early roll-out.

Eventually, Affiliates will have access to subscriptions, run ads, and one subscriber emote they can award to their subscribers (compared to 50 for partners). Like Partners, Twitch will choose Affiliates at its discretion going forward.

For now, Twitch set some basic criteria that include at least 500 total minutes of streaming in the last 30 days, at least 7 unique streaming days in the last 30 days, an average of 3 concurrent viewers or more over the last 30 days, and at least 50 followers.

Here's a breakdown of the features Affiliates will have access to vs. what Partners currently have.

As for revenue share for Bits and Cheering, Twitch said Affiliates will receive one cent per Bit used to Cheer for them. Twitch believes this move will offer small streamers a stepping stone towards being a Partner.