YouTube has announced that it will be discontinuing its Premium Lite subscription plan, which offered ad-free video viewing at a lower cost. The plan, priced at €6.99 per month, was first launched in select European countries in 2021. While it provided ad-free viewing, it did not include other features such as offline downloads or background playback. Existing subscribers of Premium Lite will now have two options: to watch YouTube with ads or to subscribe to the more expensive YouTube Premium, which includes YouTube Music. YouTube will offer Lite subscribers a one-month free trial of YouTube Premium as a consolation.
The decision to discontinue Premium Lite has sparked disappointment among subscribers. Many viewed the plan as a good middle ground for those who wanted to skip ads but were not interested in the additional features offered by YouTube Premium. The discontinuation of the service has prompted discussions in forums and emails to publications, highlighting the disappointment felt by European users who valued the ad-free experience at a more affordable price point.
YouTube has acknowledged the disappointment and stated that it is continuously working on different versions of Premium Lite based on user feedback. Although this particular iteration of the plan is being retired, YouTube is actively exploring options to cater to the needs and preferences of its users, creators, and partners in the future.
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