YouTube Premium Lite launched in India; Here’s how you can watch ad-free videos

YouTube introduced Premium Lite in March 2024, initially as a trial in countries like the US. Its primary goal was to diversify the platform’s subscription offerings. The subscription model has now become a key part of the company’s growth.

New Delhi: YouTube announced the expansion of its new, lower-priced subscription tier, "Premium Lite," today on Monday in India. This move is part of the company's strategy to grow its subscriber base in India. YouTube Premium Lite aims to provide users with an ad-free experience, but the price and features are limited.

Premium Lite Price and Features

YouTube Premium Lite is priced at Rs 89 per month in India. Under this plan, users can watch ad-free videos in categories like gaming, comedy, cooking, and learning.

However, this plan also has some limitations:

• Ads will be shown on music videos and shorts.
• Videos will not be able to be played in the background or downloaded and watched offline.
• This subscription tier is expected to be available across India in the coming weeks.

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Why did YouTube launch Premium Lite?

YouTube introduced Premium Lite in March 2024, initially as a trial in countries like the US. Its primary goal was to diversify the platform's subscription offerings. The subscription model has now become a key part of the company's growth.

In May of this year, reports surfaced that YouTube was also testing a new subscription tier in India, France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, allowing users to share their Premium or Music Premium plan with another household member.

Other YouTube Subscription Plans in India

Standard YouTube Premium plan prices in India are as follows:

• Students: Rs 89/month
• Individual: Rs 149/month
• Family: Rs 299/month
• Music Premium plan prices:
• Students: Rs 59/month
• Individual: Rs 119/month
• Family: Rs 179/month

In addition, the two-person YouTube Premium subscription tier is available in India for Rs 219/month and the Music Premium Pilot for Rs 149/month. In August 2024, the company increased the prices of all its subscription tiers by 12 to 58 percent.

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YouTube Subscriber Statistics and Revenue

In March 2024, YouTube reported over 125 million subscribers across its Music and Premium services. Overall, Alphabet (Google's parent company) has surpassed 270 million paid subscriptions.

According to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, YouTube and Google One contribute the most to the company's revenue. By October 2024, YouTube's revenue will surpass $50 billion for the first time in four quarters.

The launch of YouTube Premium Lite in India offers an ad-free video option at a lower price. This subscription is particularly attractive to users who want a cheaper, ad-free experience but don't care about features like background play and offline downloads.