Key Takeaways
1. YouTube Premium Lite subscription now costs $7.99 a month and includes new features: background playback and offline video downloads.
2. Premium Lite was launched in the US, offering a cheaper option with reduced ads, but lacked key features until now.
3. The new features will be available to Premium Lite subscribers in the US starting this Tuesday, with a wider rollout planned for other regions.
4. Premium Lite does not completely eliminate ads; users may still see ads on music videos, Shorts, and during searches.
5. For a fully ad-free experience and additional perks, users can opt for the $13.99-per-month YouTube Premium plan.
YouTube has announced some exciting updates for its Premium Lite subscription, which costs $7.99 a month. Now, users will enjoy two features that were once exclusive to the full Premium plan: background playback and the ability to download videos for offline viewing.
Changes to Premium Lite
The Premium Lite option debuted in the US about a year ago, offering a more affordable way to enjoy YouTube with reduced ads. However, users were unable to keep videos playing while using other apps, nor could they watch videos offline. Thanks to user feedback, those limitations are now being lifted. YouTube has stated that these improvements are a direct response to what subscribers have been asking for.
Rollout Timeline
Starting this Tuesday, the new background playback and offline download features will be available to Premium Lite subscribers in the US. The updates will soon reach all the regions where the Premium Lite service is offered over the next few weeks.
Ad Experience
It’s important to note that Premium Lite does not completely remove ads. According to YouTube, “most” videos will be ad-free, but ads may still pop up on music videos, Shorts, and during searches or browsing. For a completely ad-free experience on both YouTube and YouTube Music, users must opt for the $13.99-per-month YouTube Premium plan. This plan includes a YouTube Music subscription along with other perks like queuing, continuing watching, and jumping ahead. Family and student plans remain available under the full Premium offering.
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