YouTube is planning to introduce a new, cheaper version of its Premium subscription that removes ads from videos and podcasts, but not from YouTube Music. The company will thus split the YouTube Premium subscription into two versions.
YouTube is planning to introduce a new, cheaper version of its Premium subscription that removes ads from videos and podcasts, but not from YouTube Music. The company will thus split the YouTube Premium subscription into two versions.
According to insiders, a «Premium Lite» subscription will soon be announced for the US, Australia, Germany and Thailand. The service will be aimed at viewers who primarily want to watch programs, not music videos, Bloomberg reports .
Although in Ukraine YouTube Premium costs only 99 UAH per month ($2.40), for users in the US the subscription cost is $13.99, and allows you to consume all content without advertising.
«As part of our commitment to giving our users more choice and flexibility, we are testing a new YouTube Premium offering with most videos ad-free in several of our markets. We hope to expand this offering to even more users in the future with the support of our partners,» a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement.
The new YouTube Premium subscription tier is reportedly already rolling out in some countries, but will soon be expanded to new markets, including the U.S. If the more flexible and affordable YouTube Premium subscription is available in many countries, it could potentially increase content creators' earnings from YouTube.
The launch of Premium Lite comes after Spotify Technology SA began working on video content. Last month, the Swedish company launched a program under which subscribers in certain countries no longer see dynamic ads in video content. Spotify said more than 70% of eligible creators and networks have participated in the program, but a significant number of top podcasters have not yet done so due to concerns that the new revenue model may not match the amount they currently receive from advertising.
YouTube’s cheap tariff plan may suit users who want to watch videos without ads but don’t want to overpay for access to YouTube Music, as they already use alternative music services. It is also unknown whether Premium Lite will appear in Ukraine, which already has one of the lowest regional prices for YouTube Premium.
