Twitch doesn't use the view count for the ads. They process after stream the impressions ads, and check all the ad views for legitimacy to provide ad revenue to the streamer. This processing isn't done in real time live view count. Twitch mentioned this when views dropped during ads in 2023.

I am not surprised because of the repeat complaints of suddenly being forced to verify in all streamer chats despite streamer verifying it is not turned on.
I suspected it to be the end goal as the max exception setting is 6 months. No new account could chat anywhere for 6 months anyways.

youtu.be/X3VOZHjTTSI

Video tutorial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSAV...

I think that gap is partly money motivated, such as partners having more stats to become one and typically more subs coming in, therefore they use to get a better split.
Those gaps have faded. Plus Program let's even affiliates earn a higher split if you have enough subscribers for period of time

Dan said one of the reasons affiliate has requirements in the first place was to prevent fraud. He feels they improved that so lowered it and created the system for early monetization but still need some buffer to prove commitment and not just make accounts to start moving money around

Twitch took my idea