YouTube May Offer Affordable Options for Sharing Premium Subscriptions
YouTube is currently testing a new discounted subscription tier that would allow two people to share a Premium plan at a reduced rate. This option has been long requested by many users who find the single-person subscription pricing too high and the family plan requiring multiple users not cost-effective. The trial for this two-person subscription plan is taking place in select countries including India, France, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
A spokesperson from YouTube mentioned that they are exploring new ways to enhance flexibility and value for subscribers. Similar to Spotify’s Duo subscription, this option would enable two individuals—whether friends or partners—to access YouTube Premium together for less. This move appears to be part of YouTube’s strategy to win back customers who may have canceled their Premium subscriptions due to recent price increases.
By introducing a more affordable option, they hope to provide an incentive for previous subscribers to reconsider their choices. The viability of this plan seems to hinge largely on how attractive the pricing will be. Additionally, this testing phase follows YouTube’s launch of the Premium Lite plan earlier this year, which offers users ad-free access to most videos for $7.99 a month.
This plan is currently available only in certain regions, including the US, Australia, Germany, and Thailand. Interestingly, YouTube recently reported that the combined number of subscribers for YouTube Music and YouTube Premium has now surpassed 125 million globally, indicating a strong interest in their services despite the challenges posed by pricing.
