YouTube Premium is at the forefront when it comes to changing the way we consume content online. With a list of features designed to enhance your viewing experience, YouTube Premium stands out as a robust service that could really alter how you engage with video content online. From exclusive access to original shows to an ad-free experience, the question isn’t just about how to cancel YouTube Premium anymore; it’s about what you’re missing out on if you haven’t thought of it.
In this article, you’ll gain insight into what YouTube Premium is and why it might be the game-changer you’re looking for. We would also offer a comprehensive roadmap to making an informed decision about enhancing your digital content if you finally settle down with a YouTube Premium membership.
What is YouTube Premium?
YouTube Premium is a subscription-based service that offers an enhanced viewing experience on YouTube. It provides you with an ad-free environment, allowing you to watch millions of videos without interruptions from advertisements before, during, or overlaid on the content.
Overview of YouTube Premium
With YouTube Premium, you gain access to several exclusive features that elevate your video consumption. You can download videos and playlists for offline viewing, ensuring uninterrupted entertainment even when you’re without an internet connection. Additionally, the background play functionality enables you to keep videos playing seamlessly while using other apps or when your device’s screen is locked.
YouTube Premium extends its benefits to the YouTube Music app as well. You can explore an extensive library of music ad-free, download songs and playlists for offline listening, and enjoy background play for uninterrupted audio experiences.
Subscription Plans and Pricing
YouTube Premium offers various subscription plans to cater to different needs:
- Individual Plan: This plan costs $13.99 per month when subscribing on the web or via an Android device. However, for iOS users subscribing through the YouTube app, the cost is $18.99 per month due to Apple’s in-app transaction fees.
- Family Plan: The family plan allows you to add up to five family members aged 13 and older, provided they live in the same household and have their own Google accounts. The cost for this plan is $22.99 per month.
- Student Plan: Students enrolled in higher education can take advantage of the student plan, which includes one free month and costs $7.99 per month thereafter. Eligibility must be verified annually, and the plan is capped at four years.
- Annual Plan: For those who prefer an annual subscription, YouTube Premium offers a discounted rate of $139.99 per year, approximately a 15% savings compared to the monthly individual plan.
With its diverse range of features and flexible subscription options, YouTube Premium aims to provide you with a tailored and uninterrupted video and music experience, free from the constraints of advertisements and limited accessibility.
Key Features of YouTube Premium
With YouTube Premium, you gain access to a suite of features that increase your video and music streaming experience. Here are some of the key highlights:
Ad-Free Viewing
One of the most significant advantages of YouTube Premium is the ad-free viewing environment. As previously mentioned, you can watch millions of videos without interruptions from advertisements before, during, or overlaid on the content. This uninterrupted experience allows you to fully place yourself in the content you love, without any distractions or disruptions.
Background Play
The background play functionality enables you to keep videos playing seamlessly while using other apps or when your device’s screen is locked. This feature is available on the YouTube, YouTube Music, and YouTube Kids mobile apps, providing you with the flexibility to multitask while enjoying your favorite content.
Offline Playback
YouTube Premium allows you to download videos and playlists for offline viewing, ensuring uninterrupted entertainment even when you’re without an internet connection. You can download videos using the YouTube app, songs and playlists using the YouTube Music app, and even auto-downloaded videos in the YouTube Kids app.
YouTube Music Premium
As part of your YouTube Premium subscription, you gain access to YouTube Music Premium. With this feature, you can enjoy millions of songs and music videos ad-free, download content for offline listening, and utilize background play and audio-only mode for uninterrupted music experiences.
YouTube Originals
YouTube Premium subscribers also have access to exclusive YouTube Originals, a collection of original shows and series created specifically for the platform. These original productions offer unique and engaging content that you won’t find anywhere else.
Benefits of YouTube Premium for Users
As a YouTube Premium subscriber, you unlock a world of enhanced viewing experiences, creator support, and unparalleled value for your money. Here are the key benefits that make YouTube Premium a game-changer:
Enhanced Viewing Experience
With YouTube Premium, you can bid farewell to disruptive advertisements and enjoy an uninterrupted, ad-free streaming experience across YouTube, YouTube Music, and YouTube Kids. The ability to play videos in the background while using other apps or with your device’s screen off adds a layer of convenience to your viewing habits.
Moreover, YouTube Premium allows you to download videos and playlists for offline viewing, ensuring that your entertainment is always within reach, even when you’re without an internet connection. This feature is particularly handy for long commutes, flights, or areas with poor connectivity.
Supporting Creators
By subscribing to YouTube Premium, you’re not only enhancing your own viewing experience but also directly supporting the creators whose content you love. A portion of your subscription fee is distributed to the creators based on how much you watch their content, providing them with a steady stream of revenue.
This system ensures that your favorite creators are compensated for their hard work and encourages them to continue producing high-quality content that you enjoy. Your subscription fee contributes to the growth and sustainability of the YouTube creator ecosystem.
Value for Money
YouTube Premium offers exceptional value for money by bundling a range of premium features into a single subscription. In addition to an ad-free viewing experience and offline downloads, you gain access to YouTube Originals – a collection of exclusive shows and series created specifically for the platform.
Furthermore, your YouTube Premium subscription includes YouTube Music Premium, giving you ad-free access to millions of songs and music videos. You can download content for offline listening, enjoy background play, and even utilize the audio-only mode for uninterrupted music experiences.
With all these features combined, YouTube Premium provides a comprehensive and immersive entertainment package, making it a worthwhile investment for avid content consumers and music enthusiasts alike.
Drawbacks and Areas for Improvement
While YouTube Premium offers a plethora of benefits, it’s important to acknowledge some drawbacks and areas where improvement could enhance the overall experience.
Original Content Quality
One aspect that YouTube Premium could improve upon is the quality and variety of its original content offerings. As highlighted in the excerpts, the exclusive YouTube Originals series often feel like existing popular YouTube shows with slightly larger budgets, rather than full-fledged professional productions comparable to those found on other streaming platforms.
For instance, while the Karate Kid spin-off series Cobra Kai initially debuted as a YouTube Original, it eventually transitioned to Netflix, suggesting that YouTube’s original content library may not be as compelling or competitive as that of other streaming giants like Hulu, Max, or Disney+.
Price Considerations
Another area that warrants consideration is the pricing structure of YouTube Premium. At $13.99 per month for the individual tier, some users may find the subscription fee slightly expensive, especially when compared to the offerings of other streaming services.
While the bundled access to YouTube Music at $10.99 per month makes YouTube Premium an appealing option for music enthusiasts, the value proposition for those primarily interested in ad-free video streaming may not be as compelling.
It’s worth noting that while these drawbacks exist, YouTube Premium still offers a unique and valuable proposition for users seeking an ad-free viewing experience, offline downloads, and background play capabilities across YouTube and YouTube Music. However, addressing these areas for improvement could further solidify YouTube Premium’s position as a game-changer in the streaming landscape.
Conclusion
The value proposition of YouTube Premium remains strong, offering a unique blend of convenience, content, and quality that stands to redefine how we consume digital media. As the platform continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how YouTube Premium adapts and expands its services to meet the needs and desires of its diverse user base, potentially setting new standards for streaming service excellence.
