YouTube Testing ‘Premium Lite’ Subscription

The new tier removes ads while trimming extra features.

The new tier removes ads while trimming extra features.

YouTube’s $11.99-per-month premium subscription provides several changes to one’s viewing ability; while the major draw is the removal of in-video ads, it also allows for background play, video downloading for offline viewing, and premium access to the YouTube Music app. However, many YouTube users only want the ads removed from videos, and aren’t particularly interested in those other features. It’s for this reason that YouTube is testing a new paired-down subscription tentatively named “Premium Lite.”

“In Nordics and Benelux (except for Iceland), we’re testing a new offering to give users even more choice: Premium Lite costs €6.99/month (or local equivalent per month) and it includes ad-free videos on YouTube,” a YouTube spokesperson explained to The Verge.

Viewing YouTube on a Premium Lite subscription removes in-video ads on all possible platforms, including computers, mobile devices, game consoles, and smart TVs. However, the ad-removal is the only feature included, so this tier is exclusively for those who don’t want video downloading or YouTube Music.

YouTube Premium Lite is currently available on a trial basis in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. Depending on the feedback they receive from users, YouTube may tweak this subscription, or add other ones.