Hiding the subscriber count looks like a painful decision for him. I think he enjoys the validation from having the number there and showing how many people are supporting him, even when the number drops month-by-month. And I think it can help to draw more support-- when potential patrons see how many people already subscribe, that is a powerful recommendation by itself. It's a boost to his ego and his wallet.
But it's also become a way to track his struggles and even make monthly bets on it. That has to be exasperating for him. If he does hide it, it's a sign that the anxiety from having it up is too much for him to bear. Either way, that's the bed he prepared for himself. He will have to lie in it now.