Twitch Ad Revenue Error, TikTok Live Scaled Rewards, Kai Cenat Billboard, and CazeTV Cuts Twitch

Last day of January already?! Hopefully, you've all been sticking with your plans for the year. It's been a productive start, including this newsletter, as there's a new addition. I'm adding a weekly insight mini-column written by me or guest contributors! It should be a good way to take a big topic like monetization, content trends, or new tools and give you bite-sized insight that may help you apply them to your own creator journey. Let me know what you think in the comments. And with that, let's get into the news!

Platform Updates

🟪 TWITCH

• Did you notice Twitch significantly reduced your earned ad revenue in the last few days? Twitch identified an issue with ad revenue calculations and aims to fix it before the next payout. I recommend you babysit your earnings every day to verify this.
• Twitch Support warned that if your revenue for tax purposes is inaccurate and you're paid via Paypal, you should contact Paypal for a 1099-K.
• A new Tax Withholding Rate panel has been added to the Earnings tab.
• Twitch's Mary Kish has confirmed a Hype Train emote for Vedal987's record is coming soon.

🟥 YOUTUBE

• Vertical live streams now have access to the Q&A sticker.

⬛ TIKTOK

• TikTok is pushing out the new Scaled Live Rewards system in the USA, which pays based on longer streams, gained followers, engagement, and other metrics.
• President Trump signed an executive order offering TikTok a 75-day grace period from enforcement.
• TikTok's post-ban US operations no longer has access to the Bytedance US Content Delivery Network.
• The White House is in talks to have Oracle and a group of US investors take control of TikTok.
• The Washington Post offers a unique look at TikTok's internal frantic efforts to avoid a ban.
• TikTok hosted an inauguration eve party for creators.

🟦 TWITTER X

• At least 100 subreddits, including r/NFL, r/Hockey, r/NBA, r/Military, and r/PCGaming have banned posting links from TwitterX.

⏹️ DISCORD

• Discord appears to be beta testing a new virtual currency system called Orbs.
• Soundmoji's are starting to be released to a small portion of servers.

🔲 OTHERS

• Livestreaming app Favorited secured $1.3M in funding.
• WhatNot took out a full-page ad in the New York Times.
• A shooting in Nashville, Tennessee, was streamed on Kick. Kick staff was informed of the shooting. However, the video remained available for another 40 minutes.
• Noice is currently running a referral campaign.