Twitch Removes Universal Ad-Free Viewing from Twitch Prime

Gaming,

Twitch recently made changes to the perks that come with Twitch Prime. One controversial change is that universal ad-free viewing will no longer be a part of Twitch Prime for new members. This decision could end up hurting streamers.

As we have continued to add value to Twitch Prime, we have also re-evaluated some of the existing Twitch Prime Benefits. As a result, universal ad-free viewing will no longer be a part of Twitch Prime for new members, starting on September 14.

Twitch Prime members with monthly subscriptions will continue to get ad-free viewing until October 15. If you already have an annual subscription, or if you upgrade to an annual subscription before September 14, you will continue with ad-free viewing until your next renewal date.

All other Twitch Prime benefits, like monthly channel subs, monthly games and loot, and chat badges are not changing.

Twitch provided some explanation for why they made this change: “Advertising is an important source of support for the creators who make Twitch possible. This change will strengthen and expand that advertising opportunity for creators so they can get more support from their viewers for doing what they love.”

Twitch says that an ad-free viewing experience is still possible. One way to get it is to subscribe to Twitch Turbo. Doing so will give you ad-free viewing across all channels.

Twitch also points out that Twitch Prime subscribers can still get channel-specific ad-free viewing as part of Twitch Prime by using their monthly subscription token on a channel that has ad-free viewing for subscribers turned on.

This change could harm streamers. People who cancel their Twitch Prime will lose the free monthly subscription that they could use to support a streamer. It is unclear how much of the revenue from the ads that appear on a stream actually go to the streamer.