X Platform to Restrict Live Streaming to Premium Users

Change is the only constant at Elon Musk’s X platform, which is making significant updates to its user experience. Just a week after making ‘Likes’ private, the company announced that live streaming will soon be exclusive to Premium subscribers. Over the past few months, X has been steadily rolling out new features while placing some, such as post-editing and long-form content sharing, behind a paywall.

Although the company has not specified the exact date when this new policy will take effect, it will set X apart as the only social media platform that charges users for live streaming. In contrast, platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch currently allow users to initiate live streams for free. A recent post from the company’s ‘Live’ account stated, “Starting soon, only Premium subscribers will be able to live stream. This includes going live from an encoder with X integration.”

While X has yet to move certain existing features to its subscription tier, there are clear indications that the platform might plan to do so for basic functionalities. Earlier this year, in April, Elon Musk revealed that X would start charging a $1 fee for new users who wish to post on the platform. This annual fee would grant users access to basic features such as bookmarking, replying, or liking posts.

However, those who do not pay this fee can still follow other accounts, read posts, and eventually share posts after three months. This strategy seems aimed at encouraging more users to opt for the subscription model while still offering a basic level of access to non-paying members.

To recap, X offers several subscription tiers: X Basic, Premium, and Premium+, priced at ₹215.87, ₹566.67, and ₹1,133.33 per month, respectively, when paid annually. Each tier provides varying levels of access and features, with the Premium and Premium+ tiers offering the most comprehensive user experience.

As X continues to evolve under Musk’s leadership, these changes reflect a broader trend of monetising social media platforms by offering exclusive features to paying subscribers. The move to restrict live streaming to Premium users is a significant step in this direction, setting X apart from its competitors and potentially reshaping the landscape of social media interactions.