YouTube to Launch 'Premium Lite' Subscription Tier

YouTube is set to launch a more affordable subscription service, dubbed 'YouTube Premium Lite,' in the US, Australia, Germany, and Thailand. This new tier aims to provide users with ad-free access to most videos, excluding music videos, for a lower cost than the standard $13.99 per month YouTube Premium plan in the US. While exact pricing for Premium Lite in the US is yet to be announced, similar plans tested abroad suggest a possible cost around $7 per month. The Lite version will strip away features like offline downloads, background play, and YouTube Music, focusing instead on ad-free viewing of non-music content, including podcasts and how-to videos. YouTube's strategy behind this move is to appeal to users who primarily seek a cheaper, ad-free experience without the additional features of the full Premium service. This launch comes amidst increasing competition in the streaming industry, with YouTube aiming to expand its subscriber base by offering more flexible, cost-effective options.