Great news for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music subscribers! The monthly price for YouTube Premium has increased by $2 to $13.99, while YouTube Music is also going up by $1 to $10.99. These changes have been implemented for new subscribers without any prior announcement. The new rates can be found on the Premium website, and it was 9to5Google who first noticed and reported the update.
It’s worth noting that the family Premium plans, which were increased last year, remain at $22.99 per month. Additionally, an annual subscription plan that was announced last year will now cost $139.99, an increase of $20.
For those who are unfamiliar, YouTube Premium allows viewers to enjoy videos without any annoying advertisements. It also provides access to the YouTube Music app. The service was initially launched in 2014 as Music Key, a collaboration with major music labels to create a new platform for music videos. It was later rebranded as YouTube Red in 2015, as the video arm of Alphabet (YouTube’s parent company) aimed to enter the streaming market with a range of original shows. Finally, in 2018, YouTube Red became YouTube Premium, with music streaming becoming its own separate platform.
In terms of the price hikes, this is the first increase in the United States since the launch of YouTube Premium in 2018. According to YouTube spokesperson Jessica Gibby, the price adjustment is necessary to continue delivering excellent service and features. She stated, “We believe this new price reflects the value of YouTube Premium, which allows subscribers to enjoy ad-free YouTube with background and offline play, as well as uninterrupted access to over 100 million songs with the YouTube Music app.”
It’s worth mentioning that Susanne Daniels, the former chief of YouTube original content, resigned in January 2022 after more than six years with the company. Following her departure, YouTube announced a shift in focus towards creator-driven programming rather than TV-style originals. Despite this change, YouTube had some successful original shows under Daniels’ leadership, including the breakout hit “Cobra Kai,” which continued to thrive even after moving to Netflix in 2020.
As for YouTube Music, the price increase puts it on par with other popular music streaming services such as Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal, all of which also charge $10.99 per month. Spotify, on the other hand, has maintained its price point of $9.99.
So, if you’re a YouTube Premium or YouTube Music subscriber, be sure to take note of these changes. The increased prices reflect the value and benefits that these services offer, including ad-free YouTube, background and offline play, and access to a vast library of music.
