How 'Private' is A Cam Show Really? VIP & Exclusive Modes Explained

When customers think of private cam shows, they typically imagine a one-on-one experience with their favorite models. 

However, the reality can be more nuanced depending on the cam site. 

On some platforms, going 'private' might still allow other viewers to watch in 'voyeur' mode. These viewers can see the show but cannot interact or be seen by the model. In other words... private does not mean truly private.

Other platforms sell the concept of a private show, but it's more like a group ticket. 

Common Misconceptions About Private Shows

If you've never paid for a private cam show, you'll want to adjust your expectations based on the type of show you're purchasing.

Let's take a look at common terminology, and how it's applied across some of the biggest brands on CamsRank.

Private Does Not Mean Exclusive In Cam Lingo

The term private can vary significantly between cam sites. 

For instance, on platforms like BongaCams or StripChat, you might opt for a 'private' show only to find out that others can still view it in voyeur mode. These viewers are essentially silent spectators who can watch but not participate or be seen by the model.

Users in voyeur mode won't be able to see your messages in the chat, and audio is usually disabled to prevent any conversation leakage.

"Ohh, Johnny from Southern Idaho, I love the way you make me feel..."

Even LiveJasmin, the world's largest premium cam site, lacks a default option to enjoy truly private cam shows.

You need to spend 15,000 credits per month (around $17K) to unlock the Casanova tier of their Club Elite program. Only then can you unlock exclusive one-to-one shows. 

And even then, you'll still find additional features like Cam2Cam and audio input are often charged as extras by the models.

One of our readers recently commented, "How are phone sex hotlines still in business when you can see AND hear the action in a private show for a lower rate per minute?"

Well, the answer is linked to the expectation of private intimacy. When you call a phone sex hotline, the model can only service you. It's a one-to-one arrangement. On a cam site, you can pay for her 'private channel'... but so can everybody else. 

It works out cheaper to watch a private cam show than to call in to a private chat line, but only because private does NOT mean exclusive on most cam sites.

VIP Shows Are Usually For The Crowd

Another type of private show you will see advertised, particularly on freemium sites, is VIP Shows.

In a VIP show, a model performs for a select group of viewers who have paid for access. Once her goal is reached, the freeloaders are turned away and the show begins.

The term VIP Show is used interchangeably with Ticket Shows, Candy Shows, or just Group Shows. They all work the same way - a fixed entry fee for exclusive access to a non-public show.

The obvious caveat is that the model’s attention will be divided among all participants, so while we can call it a private show, it's not exactly intimate.

In many cases, she won't even be chatting with the group, focusing instead on performing whatever sexy routine she promised

All Models Prefer Private Shows

A common misconception... it's simply not true.

If she's turning down your private invitations, or doesn't want to accept a Cam2Cam request, it's nothing personal.

(Well, unless you're an a****** about it).

When a model goes private, they effectively turn away the viewers currently in their public room. 

These viewers inevitably move on to another model, and the momentum she's built up can be lost. This is particularly challenging during peak hours -- when it's a race to hit the homepage and every viewer matters.

One of the biggest frustrations we see, and one that prevents models from offering private shows, is the likelihood of attracting a time-waster who shatters her room stats for little financial return. 

What To Look For: 'True Private' and 'Exclusive Private'

If you're determined to enjoy a truly one-to-one camming experience, these are the terms to look for:

• True Private
• Exclusive Private
• Cam2Cam

Shows marked with these tags are reserved for users who want 100% of the model's attention. 

There are no other viewers, no voyeur modes, just you and the performer.

Exclusive shows are typically more expensive, reflecting the premium nature of this experience. They offer the most personal interaction and the ability to tailor the session exactly to your preferences. 

Our data shows that StripChat has an average private show cost per minute of $0.96 – $1.92, but this rises to over $4.00 if you enable Cam2Cam (for an exclusive experience).

MyFreeCams is notorious for having highly-priced private shows, which are locked in at $6 per minute by default. 

If you want to purchase an 'Exclusive Private' chat on MFC (with no prying eyes), you'll need to pay an extra $2 per minute - so that's a total of $8 per minute for a truly private cam show.

Suddenly the phone sex starts to look a lot cheaper on paper, hey?

Still, if privacy and direct interaction are your top priorities, exclusive shows are the way to go.

Exclusive Shows: A Smaller But Lucrative Market For Models

We speak to both clients and performers here on CamsRank. 

From what we see daily, the sort of customers who spend money on strip clubs and escorts are much more likely to favor exclusive shows. 

The most experienced performers can earn very well from exclusive private shows, and they can build up small "Whale Clubs" of highly affluent customers (as one of our model friends so elegantly put it!).

The performers who do well in exclusive chats are highly adept at tailoring their performance for different fetishes and tastes. 

But it's not an easy job.

Many models choose to avoid the private cam show format altogether, preferring to make their money from public-facing shows. 

They rely on tips from a large mostly non-paying audience, instead of the deep wallet of a single customer. 

It's a bit more impersonal, but maybe that's part of the appeal? 

The models who make their money from Cam2Cam shows have to be on it from the very first minute. 

It's not easy pivoting to different needs and ensuring each customer gets the intimate one-to-one experience he expects.

If you find a model who does this in style, our advice is simple: remember to tip her well!

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