YouTube Premium Lite: A Cheaper Way to Skip Ads
Key Takeaways:
- YouTube is introducing a cheaper Premium Lite subscription.
- It removes most ads but excludes YouTube Music and some features.
- The price could be around $7-$8 in the U.S.
- The Lite tier is already being tested in Germany and Australia.
- Users still might see some ads, like on music videos.
YouTube is bringing back a more affordable version of its Premium subscription called YouTube Premium Lite. This cheaper plan will let users watch most videos without ads, but it won’t include everything the full Premium package offers.
What’s Included in Premium Lite?
The Lite version focuses on ad-free video watching. For example, you won’t see pre-roll ads before most videos. However, some ads might still pop up, like banner ads around videos or short ads before music videos.
What’s Missing in Premium Lite?
The Lite plan cuts out a few features you’d get with the full Premium subscription:
- No YouTube Music access: You won’t get ad-free music or the ability to listen to YouTube Music in the background.
- No background playback: Videos won’t keep playing if you switch to another app.
- No offline downloads: You can’t save videos to watch later without Wi-Fi.
How Much Will It Cost?
The standard YouTube Premium costs $13.99 a month in the U.S. Premium Lite could be about half that price, somewhere between $7 and $8. In Europe, where the Lite plan was tested, it costs around $7.30 a month.
Why Is YouTube Doing This?
YouTube wants to give users more choices. Many people have asked for a cheaper option just to remove ads, without needing all the extra features. The company is also responding to complaints about too many ads on the free version of YouTube.
What’s Happening with Ads on YouTube?
Lately, some users have noticed very long, unskippable ads—some even reported ads that lasted an hour or more! This has made a lot of people frustrated.
At the same time, more people are using ad blockers to avoid seeing ads altogether. YouTube doesn’t like ad blockers because they hurt its business. By offering a cheaper, ad-free option, YouTube hopes to encourage people to subscribe instead of using ad blockers.
When Will Premium Lite Be Available?
Premium Lite has already been tested in places like Germany and Australia. Now, YouTube is planning to roll it out in even more countries, including the U.S., Australia, Germany, and Thailand. However, there’s no official launch date yet.
What About YouTube Music?
If you want to listen to ad-free music or background music, you’ll still need the full Premium subscription. YouTube hasn’t said anything about offering a separate, cheaper music-only plan.
Why Should You Care?
If you watch a lot of YouTube but don’t want to pay for the full Premium price, Premium Lite could be a great option for you. It’s cheaper and still removes most ads. However, if you’re a big music fan or want to download videos, you might need to stick with the full Premium plan.
YouTube’s goal is to give users more flexibility. With Premium Lite, the company is hoping to attract people who want a simpler, more affordable way to enjoy YouTube without ads. And who doesn’t want to skip ads while watching their favorite videos?
Keep an eye out for more updates about Premium Lite’s launch date and pricing in your area. Until then, let us know what you think about this new plan in the comments!
YouTube Premium Lite: Cheaper, Simpler, and Almost Ad-Free.
