A cheaper ad-free YouTube subscription may finally be gearing up for an official launch.

YouTube Premium Lite may finally be rolling out

According to a Bloomberg report, YouTube is in the process of officially launching for its cheaper “Premium Tier” subscription. This offering aims to provide an ad-free experience on most videos without the additional perks for a full Premium subscription. The tier is designed for users who want to watch videos without ads but don’t need YouTube Music, background play, or offline downloads.

“As part of our commitment to provide our users with more choice and flexibility, we’ve been testing a new YouTube Premium offering with most videos ad-free in several of our markets.”

Paul Pennington, YouTube spokesperson

YouTube previously tested a Premium Lite tier across some European regions back in 2021. However, the plan was discontinued in 2023, leaving a gap between the free, ad-supported version of YouTube and the feature-rich YouTube Premium.

A look back at YouTube Premium Lite

When initially tested back in 2021, YouTube Premium Lite offered ad-free viewing on YouTube but did not include background play, offline downloads, or ad-free YouTube Music. The plan was priced at €6.99/month- roughly €5/month cheaper than YouTube Premium.

The discontinued subscription tier resurfaced in select regions in October 2024 under a revised model, featuring “limited ads” at about half the cost of a full YouTube Premium membership.

If YouTube Premium Lite officially launches, it could be a great option for casual viewers who want to reduce ads but don’t need a full YouTube Premium subscription. For now, this news strengthens the position that the cheaper tier will once again be available in more regions soon.

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