The 'YouTube Lite' that removes YouTube ads will be released for 8,500 won per month. This is the lowest price among the countries where YouTube Lite has been officially launched, including the United States and the United Kingdom. The Fair Trade Commission has prepared a provisional consent ruling that includes a two-month free trial and a total of 30 billion won in discounts and music industry support, and has begun to collect opinions.
On the 15th, the Fair Trade Commission stated that it has prepared a provisional consent ruling regarding allegations of Google's bundling of YouTube services, and will begin to collect opinions from relevant agencies and stakeholders until the 14th of next month.
Google has only offered the 'YouTube Premium', which bundles YouTube videos and music services, in Korea and has not introduced a product that only provides videos, such as 'YouTube Lite', limiting consumer choice and hindering competition in the music service market.
Accordingly, the Fair Trade Commission, after about two months of negotiations with Google, has prepared a provisional consent ruling that includes the launch of the standalone video product YouTube Lite, price stabilization, consumer discount benefits, and support for the music industry. The consent ruling is a process that concludes the case based on self-correction measures without determining whether a legal violation occurred.
YouTube Lite is expected to be released at 8,500 won per month for Android and web users and 10,900 won for iOS users. This corresponds to 57.1% and 55.9% of the YouTube Premium fees (14,900 won and 19,500 won). It is the lowest price among the six countries where YouTube Lite has been launched, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. The price will remain frozen for one year after launch, and for four years, it will be maintained at a level that is not higher than the price ratio of YouTube Premium in major foreign countries.
The YouTube Lite product allows viewers to watch YouTube videos without interruption ads, but music content ads will remain, and it will not include background playback or offline storage features. This product targets consumers who do not need YouTube Music or wish to use domestic music services separately.
YouTube Lite will be launched within 90 days once the consent ruling is confirmed, and the Fair Trade Commission believes that commercialization within this year will be possible if the follow-up procedures proceed smoothly.
Google plans to implement a cooperative plan amounting to 30 billion won for consumers and the music industry. First, it will offer a two-month extended free trial (worth 7.5 billion won) to new subscribers of YouTube Lite and existing YouTube Premium users who switch, and will also provide partnership products at discounted rates through resellers (worth 7.5 billion won).
The Fair Trade Commission estimates that about 2.1 million consumers will benefit from these measures. In particular, regarding the reseller bundle products, Google has decided not to limit combinations with domestic music streaming services (such as Melon and Genie).
Additionally, Google plans to support the domestic music industry over four years by discovering and fostering up to 48 emerging artists, with plans to support the overseas expansion of eight of these artists. To this end, 15 billion won will be invested, including practical support for planning companies in areas such as education, promotion, and performance. Google stated that it will establish this plan separately from existing YouTube programs and operate it in line with the objectives of the consent ruling.
The Fair Trade Commission plans to conduct supplementary consultations with Google after collecting opinions and then decide on the consent ruling after deliberations in a plenary meeting. An official from the Fair Trade Commission noted, "If the consent ruling is finally confirmed, Google will launch YouTube Lite within 90 days and will be subject to inspections regarding compliance over the next four years," adding, "If non-compliance occurs, a fine of up to 2 million won per day may be imposed, and the consent ruling itself may be canceled."