YouTube is reportedly preparing to roll out a more affordable version of its subscription service, YouTube Premium Lite, in the US, Australia, Germany, and Thailand. According to Bloomberg, this new plan is aimed at viewers who primarily watch content other than music videos. However, there is no official word yet on the pricing for this tier.
YouTube’s past Premium Lite trials
YouTube first introduced a no-ads version called Premium Lite in certain European countries in 2021. This plan allowed users to watch videos without interruptions but did not include additional perks like YouTube Music or offline downloads. However, the company decided to discontinue Premium Lite in 2023.
Despite this, YouTube later confirmed in October 2023 that it was experimenting with a different version of Premium Lite. A few users who encountered this test version noted that it had limited ads instead of being completely ad-free. One user reported seeing a price of AU$8.99 per month for the new version, compared to AU$16.99 for the full YouTube Premium subscription.
YouTube’s statement on the new tier
Paul Pennington, a YouTube spokesperson, confirmed that the company has been testing a “new YouTube Premium offering with most videos ad-free.” He added that YouTube is looking to expand this option to more users in the future, with support from its partners. However, he did not provide details on whether the service would officially launch in the US or the pricing.
The potential rollout of YouTube Premium Lite would give users more flexibility in choosing a plan that suits their viewing habits, especially for those who do not need access to YouTube Music but still want to reduce the number of ads they see. With YouTube continuing to explore different subscription options, more details about this plan may emerge soon.
