Twitch Streamers Speak Out Against Recent Ad Changes

While the internet remains an infinite well of ideas, one generally accepted topic of solidarity is a disdain for advertisements. Having to wait 30 seconds before watching a video, closing a pop-up window to read a cooking recipe, and other invasive interruptions are nothing less than annoying. This is why it was so upsetting when Twitch announced that the Twitch Prime option would no longer include ad-free viewing.

Twitch Prime was introduced shortly after Amazon's acquisition of the popular live streaming website. The service, which came free with Amazon Prime or as a separate $8/month fee, offered the user benefits like (but not limited to) monthly free games, a free channel sub a month, and until September 14, ad-free viewing.

In the blog post announcing this change, Twitch claims the decision is in order to strengthen and expand that advertising opportunity for creators so they can get more support from their viewers for doing what they love. Though many Twitch streamers are adamantly against this change. Former major streamer Justin Wong believes the statement is nothing short of bogus.

Partners dont see any direct benefit from the Twitch Prime ad-free removal. There are possibly indirect benefits depending on whether viewers will subscribe to avoid ads. In other words, the benefiting creators shtick is BS.

A selection of streamers have begun campaigning against the change, setting their channels to be ad-free, and some even requesting their viewers enable an ad blocker when watching their streams.

Please install an ad blocker if you watch my content on Twitch/YouTube. Because ads are a waste of your time, and I have no interest building a business off ad dollars. Robert Moran

This is most likely the exact opposite reaction from the site's content creator that Twitch was hoping for. Perhaps they'll change their decision, time will tell. But for now, I hope you like seeing 25 ads for the new Razr keyboard.