Check out the Twitch Subtember Subathon Challenge

For Twitch streamers, yesterday was a day of mixed emotions. On the heels of a successful protest, Twitch launched their annual Subtember promotion (and with it a Subtember Subathon Challenge). While the promotion has, in years past, generally gotten worse and worse – this years’ 20% off gifted and new subs isn’t terrible. As a major proponent of increased sub split, (I think Partners should get 70-30, while Affiliates getting 60-40 seems reasonable), this promotion does increase the sub split to 62.5% for creators. Perhaps, for some, a good opportunity to fill up the war chest, as you start to transition to other income platforms.

But while the majority of streamers will have to ‘settle’ for the 20% off promotion – Twitch marketing was out there offering an exclusive opportunity to lightning reaction time American streamers. Twitch sent emails out to (presumably) all American streamers offering them the Subtember Subathon Challenge – a way to further incentivize subscriptions (the perks of which I’ll share shortly). And if you’re thinking “Girl Guide Cookies” or whatever other sugar-based fundraiser you did back in elementary school – you’re not far off! But, unfortunately for most, this promotion was capped at 500 participants… meaning most people who went to sign up have unfortunately been hit with a waitlist.

The Subtember Subathon Challenge Perks

So, what kind of Girl Gui Twitch perks will those lucky 500 participants be eligible for? Well, below you’ll find both the requirements and perks of achieving different sub levels. At the end of Subtember you pick the prize from your highest achieved level, not any below it.

• 100 Subs
  • Twitch Fanny Pack + $25 Twitch Gift Card
    OR
  • Ring Light with Remote
• 250 Subs
  • Twitch Mug, Stainless Steel Straws + $100 Twitch Gift Card
    OR
  • Triangle Light Panels
    OR
  • Keyboard Controller
• 500 Subs
  • Twitch Charcoal Fanny Pack, Beige Bucket Hat, $100 Twitch Gift Card + $100 Amazon Gift Card
    OR
  • Hexagon Light Panels + Ring Light with Remote
    OR
  • Nintendo Switch Lite + Ring Light with Remote
• 1000 Subs
  • Twitch Charcoal Summit 32oz, Stainless Steel Straws, Beige Bucket Hat, $200 Twitch Gift Card + $200 Amazon Gift Card
    OR
  • JBL Wireless Headphones, Keyboard Controller + Ring Light with Remote
    OR
  • Nintendo Switch + Apple TV 4K 2nd Gen
• 1500 Subs
  • Twitch Light Up Mousepad, 2 Mugs, $350 Twitch Gift Card + $350 Amazon Gift
    OR
  • Shure Podcast Microphone, JBL Wireless Headphones + Green Screen with Stand
    OR
  • Audio Technica On-Ear Studio Headset + Audio Technica Microphone
• 2000 Subs
  • Twitch Black Utility Duffel Backpack, $500 Twitch Gift Card + $500 Amazon Gift
    OR
  • Beats by Dre Wirelss On-Ear Headphones & Beats Flex Bundle, Apple TV 4K, Microphone and HD Streaming Camera Bundle + Green Screen with Stand
    OR
    Beats by Dre Wirelss On-Ear Headphones & Beats Flex Bundle, Apple TV 4K, Keyboard Controller + Shure Podcast Microphone
• 5000 Subs
  • Twitch Black Utility Duffel Backpack, 2 Mugs, Beige Bucket Hat, Light Up Mousepad, Purple Picnic Blanket, Stainless Steel Straws, $1000 Twitch Gift Card + $1000 Amazon Gift Card
    OR
  • Beats by Dre Wirelss On-Ear Headphones & Beats Flex Bundle, Apple TV 4K, Microphone and HD Streaming Camera Bundle, Nintendo Switch, Green Screen with Stand, Ring Light with Stand, Hexagon Light Panels, Triangle Light Panels, Keyboard Controller, $200 Twitch Gift Card + $200 Amazon Gift Card.

I’m almost tempted to try and figure out the total value of these items, compared to the amount that Twitch gets from each of the subs… But that seems like a lot of work for something that most people will never read.

A Plausible Scenario with Subtember Subathon Challenge

Instead, let’s run a risk assessment for this promotion… What is the possibility that this ends up costing Twitch money?

Well, if you were an American streamer who had a large Turkish Audience that presents the riskiest position for Twitch. Subscriptions in Turkey cost 9.90 TRY, after the 20% discount on Gifted Subs, it drops the price down to 7.92 TRY. That works out to $0.95 USD per sub. Streamers get 62.5% of the split during the promotion which works out to about $0.59 USD.

5000 Subs would thus cost $4750, of which the streamer would receive ~$2950. That leaves Twitch with $1800 from those 5000 gifted subs. Then considering the prizes available for the 5K Tier, and they’re running a deficit! But, that’s probably something Twitch assumes won’t happen (or has at least factored it into the equation).

You can read more about the Subtember Subathon Challenge here.