TikTok’s launching Twitch-like subscriptions in beta on Thursday

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

TikTok will allow viewers to pay to support specific live streamers. Live Subscription gives fans access to perks like a subscriber-only chat, creator-specific emotes, and badges that differentiate them from non-subscribers. The announcement video on the TikTok Live Creator page states that it will launch on May 26th.

Several creators have posted videos on the page announcing that they are part of the program and showing off the benefits to their followers. While custom stickers for livestream chats and the opportunity to take part in subscriber-only chats are likely the biggest draw for viewers, a few creators have noted that they are also excited about having predictable monthly income.

It has been difficult to make money from TikTok without doing your own sponsorship deals. The company announced earlier this month that it would start sharing ad revenue with eligible creators. The in-app currency that can be exchanged for real money was used to give gifts to live streamers who were part of a creator program. It should be easy with subscriptions, as viewers are billed every month and the money goes to you.

This sort of program will be familiar to users of the video game, as it has a similar subscription program. The price of TikTok Live Subscriptions will be comparable to the packages on twitch, which start at $4.99 a month.

Many platforms have copied tons of TikTok features, but now it's TikTok doing the copying. It is not a bad thing to see the role-reversal happening here.

You have to be at least 18 years old to offer or purchase a paid subscription, and creators can only offer subscriptions if they have at least 1,000 followers. You have to be an affiliate or partner to get subscribers on twitch. The program is invite-only at the moment, according to the company.