YouTube has launched a low-cost premium membership in the United States. YouTube has announced that this membership will also be launched in Thailand, Germany, Australia, and others, but South Korea is not included as a pilot country.
YouTube announced on its official blog on 5th (local time) that it will launch Premium Lite in the U.S. The monthly subscription fee is $7.99 (about 11,500 won), which is 43% cheaper than the existing Premium ($13.99, about 20,000 won).
Premium Lite allows users to watch most video content without ads, similar to the premium membership. However, it does not include features such as ad-free music listening on YouTube Music, video content downloads, and background playback.
Users of Premium Lite must watch ads when accessing YouTube Music or viewing some video content, including Shorts (YouTube's short-form brand).
YouTube described the new membership as 'a new and affordable way to enjoy most videos without ads,' referring to it as a 'pilot product.'
YouTube pilot-launched this membership in some European countries, including Belgium, in 2021 for €6.99 (about 15,000 won), but sales were discontinued in October 2023. YouTube noted that it will offer Premium Lite in Thailand, Germany, Australia, and others in 'a few weeks.'
However, it did not include South Korea as a target for the pilot launch. Currently, the YouTube Premium subscription fee in South Korea is 14,900 won (based on web payment).