YouTube has been working to expand its low-cost offerings, and on September 29, it announced the expansion of its “Premium Lite” subscription tier pilot to users in India, as the Google-owned video platform looks to grow its subscriber base in the country.
Premium Lite: Price and Features
Priced at Rs 89 per month, Premium Lite allows users to watch ad-free videos in categories such as gaming, comedy, cooking, and learning.
However, subscribers will still see ads on music content, music videos, and YouTube Shorts. Additionally, users will not be able to play videos in the background or download them for offline viewing.
The new subscription tier is expected to roll out across the country in the coming weeks.
Why Was a Lite Version of YouTube Premium Needed?
YouTube introduced Premium Lite in March and has been piloting this low-cost subscription tier in markets such as the United States. This is part of YouTube’s broader strategy to diversify its offerings, as subscriptions have become a significant growth driver for the platform.
According to media reports, YouTube may soon launch a two-person Premium subscription tier at a monthly price of Rs 219, while YouTube Music Premium is being offered at Rs 149 during the pilot phase.
Current Plans
| Plan Type | Plan | Monthly Price (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Premium | Student | ₹89 | Standard plan |
| Individual | ₹149 | Standard plan | |
| Family (up to 5) | ₹299 | Standard plan | |
| Two-Person Tier | ₹219 | New pilot plan | |
| YouTube Music Premium | Student | ₹59 | Standard plan |
| Individual | ₹119 | Standard plan | |
| Family (up to 5) | ₹179 | Standard plan | |
| Price Hike (Aug 2024) | All Plans | +12% to +58% | Applied across all subscription tiers |
How Many Premium Subscribers Does YouTube Have?
YouTube has announced that it has crossed 125 million subscribers globally across its Music and Premium services. In total, Alphabet (YouTube’s parent company) has surpassed 270 million paid subscriptions, with YouTube and Google One being the key drivers of this growth.
With this new approach, YouTube aims to expand its reach across various economic segments in India, making premium features more accessible to a wider audience.
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