Watch ads to tip your favorite Twitch streamers
Earn "Bits" by sitting through a 30-second sponsored video.
Just when it looked like Twitch was looking to reduce the amount of ads on its site, the live-streaming service has introduced a new way for users to tip their favourite casters that relies heavily on them. It comes as an extension to the "Cheering" emotes announced in June and lets viewers accumulate Bits -- a Twitch currency where emoticons translate into donations -- by simply sitting through a 30-second interactive ad.
Currently, Twitch is in the process of rolling out this new way to "Get Bits." Users can still choose to purchase 100 Bits for $1.40 (up to a limit of $140) but can now earn Bits by viewing a sponsored video or completing a short survey. Twitch says the cashless route will typically reward users 5 Bits but some offers will be worth up to 100.
To stop people gaming the system, the company is putting a limit on the number of ads users can watch. Currently, the program is available in the US but Twitch says Bits can be placed in any chat channel that has Cheering enabled, regardless of where the streamer is located. Should it prove to be a success, the company hopes to expand its updated Cheering platform "to more users in the future."
