Patreon is finally experimenting with a native livestreaming, a new feature that could attract more creators and help them earn more money. The capability is rolling out to select testers this week and will become more widely available this summer.
Similar to other platforms, Patreon’s new livestream feature comes with a live chat where fans can comment and interact using emoji reactions, as well as the ability to schedule livestreams in advance. Creators can also assign moderators to the chat.
Patreon creators have traditionally relied on third-party tools– such as Crowdcast, YouTube, OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), Vimeo, and others– to host livestreams. Patreon’s pitch to creators: native livestreaming allows them to avoid crowded feeds of distracting ads found on other platforms.
Now, they can go live directly within the Patreon mobile app or on the web.
Notably, there are no time limits on how long creators can stream. This means they can stream 24/7 if they want to. However, depending on which plan they have, there’s a certain number of videos they’re allowed to upload.
This might be a more appealing option than TikTok Live, which has a 60-minute limit. Twitch enforces a 48-hour limit on continuous streaming. YouTube allows for unlimited streaming but restricts users to about 10 separate streams each day.
Live video also opens new monetization opportunities. Creators can choose to stream exclusively to paid members to maximize earnings or offer free livestreams to attract a larger audience. Additionally, creators can share recordings of their livestreams with fans, including the option to place the video behind a paywall as a one-time purchase.
However, one limitation is the lack of a native co-hosting feature; creators must use OBS or Streamlabs integrations for that.
Patreon didn’t disclose specific future plans for live video, but indicated that it’s exploring new opportunities for creators to earn during livestreams. A company spokesperson pointed us in the direction of its membership gifting feature, so it’s our guess that this could potentially be added to livestreams in the future.
