Imagine a world where you can finally enjoy YouTube without commercial interruptions, without breaking your piggy bank. Well, that dream may soon become reality... but with a catch! YouTube is preparing a new Premium offer at a reduced rate, but there's a catch. Google has a well-thought-out strategy behind this change, and you're about to find out why.
For years, YouTube Premium is the ultimate subscription to enjoy the platform ad-free, with offline mode and background playback. But at 12.99 per monthmany users are reluctant to take the plunge. To attract more subscribers, YouTube is testing a less expensive offer, dubbed YouTube Premium Lite. The objective? To offer an experience without adsbut with some features removed.
Subscription Premium Lite would cost around €5.99 per monthor less than half the price of the classic offer. This is excellent news for those who have had enough of endless advertising... but be warned: this formula does not include either background playbacknor downloading videos offlinenor access to YouTube Music Premium. In other words, you pay less, but you lose key benefits.
Google knows that many users find YouTube Premium too expensive. By launching a more affordable offer, the company hopes to attract a wider audience and, above all, reduce the use of ad blockerswhich have a major impact on its revenues.
With Premium Lite, YouTube attempts a compromise: remove ads without offering a full subscription. It's a way of converting those who just want to get rid of ads, without paying for features they don't use.
But this strategy could also have another purpose: test users' tolerance of limitations. If this offer works well, YouTube could gradually adjust its Premium offer and, who knows, perhaps even make certain options available on a pay-per-use basis in the future.
Here's a clear comparison of the features included in each offer:
| Features | YouTube Premium Lite | YouTube Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Ad suppression | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Background playback | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Offline download | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Access to YouTube Music Premium | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Estimated monthly price | 5,99 € | 12,99 € |
This price difference is therefore justified by a more limited experience. For those who use YouTube mainly on mobile, the absence of background playback could be a major hindrance.
For the time being, YouTube Premium Lite tested in selected countries as the Thailand, Germany, Australia and the United States. No official announcement has yet been made for the FranceBut there's a good chance that this offer will be extended to other regions if the results are conclusive.
If this test is successful, Google could roll out this offer as early as 2025based on public reception and the impact on advertising revenues.
It all depends on your application. If you're mainly bothered by ads and don't use the other Premium options, this could be a good compromise.. At €5.99, it's an attractive price for a smoother experience.
But if you often use YouTube in the background or like to download videos, it might be better to stick with the classic subscription. YouTube Music Premium, included in the €12.99 offer, remains a key advantage for those who listen to a lot of music.
So, would you be willing to pay for this lighter version of YouTube Premium? Share your opinion and stay tuned for future announcements to find out if this offer will arrive in France!
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