21 June 2017•Update: 22 June 2017
By Barry Eitel
SAN FRANCISCO
Twitter on Wednesday launched a new feature that allows users who stream live videos to collect money from viewers.
The program is a first for Periscope, Twitter’s live video streaming service launched in 2015. Instead of directly paying content creators, Twitter is instead relying on the generosity of other users to fund Periscope’s biggest stars.
Users can now send Periscope streamers “Super Hearts”, animated images that cost real money and function similar to digital currency.
The super hearts are bought with Periscope coins, another new addition to the service. Prices range in price from $0.99 for 1,050 coins to $99.99 for 132,650.
Super hearts cost roughly $0.03 for the most basic versions to $0.10 for the premium ones.
“As a viewer, you can only send Super Hearts to a broadcaster when they’re live,” Periscope said in its announcement. “Everyone who sends Super Hearts will be added to a leaderboard to display who’s given the most love to the broadcaster. For broadcasters, it’s now easier to see your biggest supporters in each broadcast.”
When a streamer collects $175 worth of super hearts, he or she can cash out and receive a paycheck, although Twitter takes a 30 percent cut of the amount. Twitter did not reveal how much revenue the company projects it will earn from the new program.
The somewhat complicated Super Hearts tipping system is similar to programs from video streaming platforms YouTube and Twitch. Alphabet’s YouTube allows content creators to earn a share of advertising revenue. Twitch, where users often stream themselves playing video games, allow viewers to directly tip video streamers.
The feature rolls out immediately in the U.S., with a global release expected in the coming months.
Twitter’s stock rose nearly 5 percent to $17.73 in afternoon trading amid the news.
