TikTok is going LIVE, with Twitch-like subscriptions

Set to compete with the likes of YouTube and Twitch is TikTok LIVE, a new subscription program allowing creators to engage with their communities in real-time.

The program will work on a monthly basis, and will initially be available only to creators who have received invites. The beta test will launch on May 26 but will later rolled out globally, over the next few months.

TikTok said the LIVE Subscription offering will support creators in increasing their revenue. Subscribers will be given perks including a subscriber badge — which will be displayed on their TikTok profile — and creator-specific emotes. They will also be given access to a subscribers-only chat with the creator.

The TikTok Live Creator page on the app has shared videos with creators who are participating in the program. The page has been teasing news of a subscription program in the last few weeks.

People participating range from gamers to beauty vloggers to ASMR creators. The creators who have spoken about their programs are @shaarichie, @danielrene, @jackbethatsme, @coreyasmr, @thrdfloor, @tacticalgramma, @brklyntae and @ziggbee.

According to TechCrunch, the prices offered will be comparable to Twitch, along with the revenue that creators can hope to see. Twitch subscriptions begin at $4.99/month and, as of now, the company takes a revenue cut between 30 percent and 50 percent.