One of the biggest complaints Twitch receives from streamers is its significant revenue loss: Twitch takes 50% of the revenue streamers get from subscriptions, considerably higher than the 70/30 split offered by YouTube. This has been a major point of contention for some time, and tensions seem to be mounting: plans to change the way streamers embed ads, for example, generated sustained outrage and eventually forced a withdrawal. For example, plans to change the way streamers embed ads generated sustained outrage and eventually forced a walkback. Now Twitch seems to be extending an olive branch by finally adjusting its revenue sharing to something more generous.

Under Twitch's new Partner Plus program, net subscription revenue (i.e., revenue from recurring monthly subscriptions and gift subscriptions, not including revenue from Twitch Prime subscriptions) to streamers will be 70/30 split. However, streamers must earn 350 or more "recurring paid subscriptions" for three consecutive months.

The good news is that once a streamer exceeds this threshold, they are automatically enrolled in Partners Plus for the next 12 months. And as long as they maintain a minimum of 350 paying members for three consecutive months, the 12-month period will be extended.

The bad news is that the 70/30 revenue sharing cap is $100,000 for the calendar year, after which it reverts to 50/50. This is certainly not surprising, and a calculator suggests that streamers on the bubble need not worry about hitting it: 350 subscribers at $1,750 per month, or $21,000 per year, is well below the cap. Still, the money-making opportunity is capped in a way that no other platform is.

It should also be noted that the Partner Plus program excludes a very large number of streamers; 350 subscribers is a small fraction of the number that big-name streamers get, but still a very large number for novice and part-time streamers.

Initial reaction to the change seems divided, with many Twitter replies calling for better revenue sharing to be extended to everyone, including non-partners, as the 350-paid sub minimum is too restrictive, while others are at least calling it a move in the right direction Others welcomed it with cautious optimism.

"Good start," tweeted Steven Spohn, senior director of Able Gamers.

"While 70/30 should apply to all partners, it's nice to see a change in circumstances, which I know is difficult for some disabled streamers with pre-existing conditions or pain who have difficulty maintaining a 350 unique subscription for three months. You may want to consider a case-by-case exception."

A small step, to be sure, but at least a move in a positive direction, which is what Twitch needs right now. The platform has faced a chorus of criticism over the past few months for mismanagement and mismanagement, much of which centered on Twitch's outright refusal to give streamers a larger share from the revenue they earn.

Twitch's Partner Plus program will go live in October, and streamers who meet eligibility requirements in July, August, and September will be automatically enrolled. For more information on the program, see the Partner Plus FAQ.