Patreon, the service that lets artists and creators provide exclusive content to subscribers, is launching a new tool that enables creators to livestream natively on the platform.
The company said the feature intends to let creators connect with their audiences in real time, whether it’s an author hosting a Q&A about a newly published book or musicians testing out new music for their fans.
The tool directly competes with similar offerings on platforms like Twitch, but a focus on creator-owned communities and fewer distractions.
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“Until now, creators have had to go live on platforms that weren’t designed to prioritize their businesses,” the company said in a statement. “We’re changing that: because it’s built directly within Patreon, creators won’t need to compete with crowded feeds, distracting ads, or anything else that gets in the way of connecting creators with their core fans.”
Brooke Duffy, an associate professor in Cornell’s department of communication, said livestreaming has long held a prominent place in digital media because it blends the aesthetics of artistic performance with a sense of authenticity, spontaneity and intimacy.
“Patreon’s model of direct audience-fan transactions during livestreams comes at a time when many creators have grown disillusioned with the monetization systems of rival platforms,” she said. “And, of course, the uncertain future of TikTok continues to loom in the background.”
Some can access feature this week
Creators will be able to go live via the Patreon mobile app or desktop, with options for free or paid member access, allowing them to tailor streams for audience growth or earnings, according to the company.
The platform is also adding a live chat for real-time conversations, emoji reactions that appear over the video player and moderation tools that let creators set the tone for their communities.
Creators will also have the option to share livestream recordings with fans who missed the event or download the videos for use on other platforms.
Patreon said some creators will receive early access to the feature as soon as this week with a wider rollout planned for later this summer.
Will Patreon creators use it?
“It’s interesting, but I won’t be using this yet,” said Luke Westaway, content creator, Patreon user and former CNET senior editor.
Westaway says he values consistency for his subscribers.
“I do weekly livestreams on YouTube just for Patrons which they access via an embedded player in a Patreon post, and in my experience Patreon subscribers value consistency and predictability in their content and I’m very cautious of anything that switches up how they access it,” he said. “That said, there are some features you just can’t do on YouTube, like the promised ability to sell streams after the fact as one-time VOD purchases, which could be cool.”
Westaway has an established account, but he acknowledges new users might feel differently.
“If I was just launching a Patreon today, I might be inclined to commit to it, but for now I think I just have to wait, watch and see if it works and if Patreon still seems committed to it in 12 months,” he said.
CNET Principal Writer Katie Collins contributed to this story.
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