Image: YouTube
YouTube is reportedly relaunching Premium Lite, a cheaper version of its paid service offering ad-free viewing for most videos, excluding music videos. This new tier targets viewers primarily interested in podcasts and non-music content, competing with platforms like Spotify offering ad-free video options.
Launching soon in the US, Australia, Germany, and Thailand, Premium Lite aims to provide a more affordable alternative to the full YouTube Premium service. While it could impact creator revenue streams, shifting focus to subscriptions, it also allows YouTube to retain viewers seeking ad-free experiences without the cost of a full Premium subscription. Ad-free music videos will still require a standard YouTube Premium subscription.
YouTube previously tested a Premium Lite plan in Europe, offering ad-free viewing for €6.99 per month, without YouTube Music, background playback, or offline downloads. That trial, launched in 2021, was discontinued in 2023.