You're watching a stream, typing in chat, and you want the streamer to hear your line in Shrek's, Kratos' or GLaDOS' voice rather than just read it. On many channels you can: the streamer turns on chat TTS, and viewer messages play live on stream.
This guide shows how to tell whether a channel has TTS, the ways you can get heard and what a voice subscription gives you.
Below are all the ways to use TTS as a viewer on channels running Chat2Speech. Which one works is up to the streamer, so start by learning the channel's rules.
How to tell a channel has TTS
The easiest way is to listen: if other viewers' messages play in character voices, TTS is on. Streamers often mention it in their channel description, panels or a bot command.
If the streamer uses Chat2Speech, the channel has its own voice page: on chat2speech.com click «Open channel» and look up the streamer by name. It shows which voices are on and how to get them.
How to learn a channel's TTS rules
Check the panels under the stream and the channel description: many streamers explain TTS there. If there's nothing, ask in chat or ask a mod. The channel's page on Chat2Speech also shows which voices are available and whether you can buy a voice subscription.
Don't send the same message over and over if it didn't play: it most likely hit a filter or a limit.
Way 1. Just type in chat
On some channels every message is read, or messages from subs, VIPs and mods. Then all you do is type. Messages with links and bot commands (starting with «!») are usually skipped, and message length may be capped.
Way 2. Pick a voice in chat
If the streamer allows picking a voice by command, you type the command and the voice's name in chat, and your messages play in that voice from then on. The channel's voice page shows the command and which voices are available. On some channels the voice is random: that's the roulette.
Way 3. Channel Points
Many streamers make TTS a Channel Points reward. You earn points automatically while watching. Open the points menu under chat, pick the TTS reward and enter your text or the voice's name, as the reward description says.
Way 4. A voice subscription
The surest way to be heard on your favorite channel is a Chat2Speech voice subscription, bought on the channel's voice page. You get:
your own character voice on that channel for 30 days;
premium minutes, from 100 a month, in voices that laugh, whisper and shout;
you're heard even after the streamer's daily TTS limit runs out;
you can change your voice and display name any time;
half the subscription price goes to the streamer: it directly supports the channel.
Emotions in your message
Premium voices carry tone. Write the emotion before the words: (laughing) and the voice laughs, (whispering) and it drops to a whisper. Try something like «(whispering) streamer, there's someone behind you…»: these are the moments that end up in clips.
Why your message might not play
If you typed and heard nothing, it's usually the channel's settings, not a bug. The streamer decides which messages are read.
the message is too long or has a link;
it starts with «!», since bot commands are skipped;
only subs, VIPs and mods can speak on that channel;
TTS works only through Channel Points there;
the streamer's daily TTS limit ran out;
a mod skipped the message or muted the sender.
TTS etiquette
TTS is chat's shared voice, and the streamer can turn it off if it's abused. Don't spam, don't insult people and don't repeat the same thing. Mods can skip your message or mute you with !tts mute.
Are you a streamer?
You can add TTS to your channel in five minutes: sign in with Twitch, one link in OBS, 7 free minutes of audio a day. And your viewers can buy voice subscriptions, with half of each one going to you.
Questions
How do I get my message read out on stream?
It depends on the channel: sometimes you just type in chat, sometimes you need a command, a Channel Points reward or a voice subscription. The channel's Chat2Speech voice page shows the options.
How much is a voice subscription?
The streamer sets the price, from $9.99 a month. Half goes to the streamer.
Why wasn't my message read out?
The channel may only read subs or subscribers, your message may have had a link or a bot command, been too long, or a mod may have skipped it.
Why didn't my message play?
Usually channel rules: length, a link, a «!» command, a who-can-speak limit or the streamer's daily limit running out.