TikTok begins beta testing its TikTok LIVE creator subscriptions to rival other streaming sites

TikTok has begun beta testing its new TikTok LIVE subscription feature that will offer creators an opportunity to make recurring money on the platform in competition with streaming rivals YouTube, Twitch, and others.

After being rumored since January, TikTok began testing its new creator subscription service on a group of specially-invited users this week. The beta test launched on Thursday will allow creators to offer content to paying subscribers, who will also be able to control the creators’ cameras during live streams. 

Creators will be able to customize their LIVE rooms, and the new service will offer custom emojis, badges, and subscriber-only chats. The badges will update over time to give long-time subscribers a way to stand out. While many live streaming subscription services are aimed primarily at video game content, TikTok’s LIVE will focus on gamers and much more, including artists, dancers, beauty experts, makeup artists, vloggers and more.

TikTok’s move comes as Twitch creators are blasting the streaming service for decreasing creator pay. Bloomberg recently reported TikTok has been poaching Twitch employees for months, recruiting them to work on its new LIVE feature.

Currently, Twitch subscriptions start at $4.99 a month with Twitch taking a 30 to 50 percent cut. TikTok creators who have been invited to test the LIVE feature have reported the pricing structure is set up very similarly to Twitch, which if Bloomberg is correct, will soon be changing its fees.

The move from TikTok comes just after the Buffalo mass shooter live streamed his violent rampage in the Tops grocery store on Twitch, and the national conversation about live streaming services heats up again. TikTok has said all LIVE content must adhere to the platform’s community guidelines.