YouTube is currently experimenting with a revamped version of its Premium Lite subscription tier. A user shared information on social media, which was later confirmed by a Google representative to multiple outlets, indicating that the trial is being conducted in Australia, Germany, and Thailand. The updated version of Premium Lite features “limited ads,” wherein most videos are ad-free, but video ads may appear on music content and Shorts, along with non-disruptive ads during searches and browsing.
The initial Premium Lite subscription was introduced in Europe in 2021, but it was phased out by the video platform in October 2023. This plan originally offered the sole benefit of eliminating ads without including offline or background viewing options available in the full Premium subscription.
Currently, in Australia, the pricing for Premium Lite is set at $9 per month, compared to $17 per month for full Premium access. This aligns with the original Lite pricing, which was approximately half the cost of a regular plan. Considering the current YouTube subscription prices — $14 per month for an individual and $23 per month for a family plan — a mid-tier option like Premium Lite could be enticing for consumers.