YouTube Premium adjusts pricing for old subscribers in several countries

YouTube has initiated a price increase for longtime YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium subscribers in several countries. The measure, which began in December 2023 in the United States, now affects countries in Europe and Latin America, especially those whose users still had reduced prices through old plans, such as Google Play Music and YouTube Red, services discontinued by YouTube.

This pricing update, which aims to bring legacy plans in line with current standard rates, has already started to be communicated via email to subscribers in affected countries. So far, however, the measure does not include Brazil, where the prices of YouTube Premium and YouTube Music remain the same.

YouTube Premium rate increase for older plans

YouTube’s move comes after a long period of price freezes for subscribers who signed up for ad-free music and video services during promotional periods, especially before its merger with YouTube Music in 2014, under the then YouTube Music Key service .

In the United States, for example, many subscribers paid a reduced monthly fee inherited from the old Google Play Music or YouTube Red, which with the merger was automatically converted into YouTube Premium with further benefits, but maintaining promotional prices.

In December 2023, YouTube announced that these users in the United States would pay the current standard rate of $13.99 per month starting in early 2024.

Now the increase extends to other regions, including parts of Europe and Latin America. In countries such as Spain, Costa Rica and Portugal, users have already reported receiving notifications regarding subscription fee adjustments.

However, YouTube allowed an additional three months at the current reduced rate for these subscribers before implementing the new rate.

Confirmation from YouTube and affected countries

Paul Pennington, YouTube’s head of communications, confirmed the price increase in a statement sent to the site The limit. According to him, the price update will affect both YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium for new and existing subscribers in countries such as Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Spain, Finland, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Kuwait, Lithuania , Luxembourg, Latvia, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Uruguay and Turkey.

Furthermore, YouTube has guaranteed that subscribers who initially joined the service through Google Play with promotional prices, so-called “early adopters”, will be entitled to three additional months of subscription at the current price before switching to the current rate.

Adjustments in Europe

In Europe, the impact of rising prices for subscribers on legacy plans has already begun to be felt. On forums like Reddit, users have reported notable changes in rates.

One Spanish user, for example, who had a legacy Google Play Music plan, revealed that his subscription increased from 7.99 euros to 10.99 euros per month. This amount, while higher than the original price, is still lower than that charged to new subscribers, who pay €12.99 per individual YouTube Music in the country.

Increase in Brazil: no confirmation for now

While YouTube is rolling out these changes in several regions, there is no official announcement regarding a pricing update for subscribers in Brazil to date.

The post YouTube Premium adjusts prices for old subscribers in different countries appeared first on Olhar Digital.

Source: Olhar Digital

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.