X, the social media platform, recently announced a significant change: live streaming will soon be a premium feature. This move positions the platform as the only major social platform to charge for live streaming, a free service on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok.
According to X, only premium subscribers can live stream and create live video streams.
This includes streaming from an encoder with X integration, a feature particularly relevant for gamers and content creators who utilize X’s game streaming capabilities. The company has not provided a specific reason for this shift.
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X offers various subscription tiers, with the basic tier starting at $3 per month and reaching up to $16 per month for the premium tier. These subscriptions come with additional features such as post-editing, long-form writing, and ad-free feeds to enhance the user experience.
This decision may indicate X’s broader strategy under Elon Musk’s ownership to monetize more aspects of the platform. Recently, X introduced a $1 annual charge for new accounts to have posting privileges in New Zealand and the Philippines, a test that may expand globally.
As X continues to explore new revenue streams, users and industry observers will be watching closely to see how these changes impact the platform’s user base and overall appeal.
