In a remarkable display of irony, Dan Clancy, the CEO of Twitch recently disclosed that his application for the platform’s Partner Program was turned down. The news, which Clancy shared on X, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges a lot of streamers face when striving for the coveted Twitch Partnership status.
The Twitch Partner Program is specifically for dedicated streamers aiming to elevate their streaming journey after they become an Affiliate. Once a part of this elite group, streamers unlock a plethora of exclusive benefits that significantly enhance their platform experience. Chief among them are the lucrative monetization opportunities such as channel subscriptions, Bits, and ad revenue. Additionally, streamers can indulge in channel personalization with unique emotes, badges, and advanced chat options. The partnership also gifts streamers with extended VOD storage, priority support, and a chance to grab special promotional opportunities. However, to earn this status, Twitch demands that streamers meet a specific set of requirements first that demonstrate their unwavering commitment to fostering a positive, interactive, and engaging streaming community, all while adhering strictly to Twitch’s community guidelines.
Nevertheless, achieving this status, as Clancy will tell you, after his own Partner Program rejected him. His revelation is no mere PR stunt – it comes with receipt in the form of a screenshot of the rejection message. The provided reasons underscored the requirement for channels to hold an average of approximately 75 viewers for every stream, after excluding numbers arising from hosts, raids, front page features, or embeds.
Clancy’s candid disclosure elicited a largely supportive and positive response from the internet as many compared it to the popular “Undercover Boss” concept, lauding the CEO’s hands-on approach. Others are humorously rallying behind Clancy’s quest for that elusive purple checkmark. In the midst of these responses, the renowned content creation group OTK also made waves by humorously extending an invitation to Clancy, suggesting a possible collaboration to improve his viewership numbers.
The past instances have showcased streamers voicing their discontent over perceived inconsistencies in the application evaluation process. A case in point from earlier this year saw Twitch streamer Dantes, with a following of half a million and an impressive average of 4,000 viewers per stream, expressing dismay at his application’s rejection. His frustrations led him to consider switching to Twitch’s rival, Kick.
As for Clancy, despite his elite status in the organization, his passion for streaming is evident. Beyond gameplay, he has sessions that frequently delve into platform insights, addressing viewer inquiries about the service. Additionally, Clancy has managed to charm his followers with his musical prowess, flaunting his adeptness with multiple instruments.
TLDR; Clancy is a bit of a charmer.
The CEO’s charisma was in full effect at TwitchCon 2023 when he unveiled several pivotal changes to the platform such as a revolutionary allowance for streamers to simultaneously broadcast across multiple platforms.
Yet, the prevailing sentiment within the community leans towards appreciation for the platform’s consistent standards. The consistent application of standards, even to the CEO, demonstrates the integrity of Twitch employees processing the applications. It remains unclear how this experience will shape Clancy’s streaming journey and whether it will prompt a review of the Partner Program’s application criteria. But for now, many streamers might find solace in knowing that the road to Twitch Partnership is challenging, even for the platform’s top brass.
Speaking of Twitch, Diablo 4 hasn’t had the best time on the streaming platform in recent times. Although the numbers have improved with the launch of Season 2, things still aren’t looking good for Diablo 4, especially on Steam.
