Google is reportedly gearing up to launch a more affordable version of YouTube Premium, dubbed YouTube Premium Lite, according to a recent Bloomberg report.
The new tier will target users who primarily watch non-music content, offering a more budget-friendly way to enjoy ad-free videos.
What is YouTube Premium Lite?
The Premium Lite version of YouTube aims to offer a cheaper alternative to the full YouTube Premium subscription, with most videos being ad-free.
Unlike the full subscription, however, this “lite” version may still have limited ads in some instances.
This isn’t the first time YouTube Premium Lite has been tested. The service initially debuted in a limited trial in some European countries in 2021, before being shelved in 2023.
However, YouTube has confirmed to The Verge that the Premium Lite service is undergoing another round of testing and will soon be available in more markets, including the US, Australia, Germany, and Thailand.
Pricing and Availability
While YouTube has not confirmed the pricing for the new tier in the US, previous reports suggest that Premium Lite could cost around $8.99 AUD per month, which is significantly cheaper than the full YouTube Premium subscription, which costs $16.99 AUD.
As of now, YouTube has not revealed pricing for other regions, but the goal appears to be to cater to users who want a more affordable way to experience YouTube without ads.
A YouTube spokesperson also mentioned that the company is testing a “different version” of Premium Lite with support for ad-free viewing for most content. They have expressed hopes to expand this offering to even more users in the future, with the backing of partner support.
More details about the launch, availability, and pricing will likely surface as YouTube finalizes the rollout.
