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 without ads, with offline mode and background playback. But at €12.99 per month, many users are hesitant to take the plunge. To attract more subscribers, YouTube is testing a cheaper offer, called YouTube Premium LiteThe goal? To offer an experience without ads, but removing some features.
The subscription Premium Lite would cost around €5.99 per monthor less than half the price of the classic offer. Excellent news for those who are tired of endless advertisements... but be careful, this formula would not include either background readingnor downloading videos offlinenor access to YouTube Music PremiumIn other words, you pay less, but you lose key benefits.
Google knows that many users find YouTube Premium too expensiveBy launching a more affordable offering, the company hopes to attract a wider audience and, importantly, 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 to convert 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 limitationsIf this offer works well, YouTube could gradually adjust its Premium offer and, who knows, maybe even make certain options chargeable per unit in the future.
Here is 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 experienceFor those who primarily use YouTube on mobile, the lack of background playback could be a major turnoff.
For now, YouTube Premium Lite is being tested in select countries as the Thailand, Germany, Australia and the United States. No official announcement has yet been made for the France, but there's a good chance this offer will come to other regions if the results are conclusive.
If this test is successful, Google could generalize this offer as early as 2025, depending on public reception and the impact on its advertising revenue.
It all depends on your usage. If you are mainly bothered by ads and don't use the other premium options, this plan might be a good compromise.At €5.99, it's a great price for a smoother experience.
But if you often use YouTube in the background or like to download videos, it might be better to keep the classic subscriptionYouTube Music Premium, included in the €12.99 offer, remains a key benefit for those who listen to a lot of music.
So, would you be willing to pay for this stripped-down version of YouTube Premium? Share your opinion and stay tuned for upcoming announcements to find out if this offer will arrive in France!
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