YouTube have increased their Premium subscription costs in 16 different countries. These countries are largely in the European Union, as well as the Middle East, South America and Southeast Asia.
YouTube are planning to increase their Premium subscription prices across 16 different countries. The news has spread across social media as YouTube users have noticed the increases within their account recently.
Those affected have received emails from YouTube to inform them about the increase in their subscriptions. Affected regions are; countries within the EU, the Middle East, South America and Southeast Asia. The increase applies to individual and family plans.
In Norway there will be a 42% increase from the current cost. Currently, an individual person’s subscription costs NOK 119 (USD $11.45). However, it will soon be NOK 169 (USD $16.26). This increase is quite substantial, and it might see users leaving the platform.
Within a Reddit thread, it’s clear that within the Czech Republic, family prices are increasing by a large amount too. The current YouTube Premium Family account costs CZK 269 (USD $11.99) but will soon increase by 44.6% to CZK 389 (USD $17.34).
YouTube spoke about their decision
YouTube stated “We don’t make these decisions lightly, but this update will allow us to continue to improve Premium and support the creators and artists you watch on YouTube.” It suggests the increase will help content creators overall.
These changes will come into place from the 4th November 2024. They’ve given users over a months worth of notice before adding the increase. However, users don’t seem happy. Many thought YouTube Premium was already fairly prices for the features it offers.
One user said “I just cancelled. This increase makes YouTube by far the most expensive streaming service, clocking in at more than what I pay for Amazon Prime, Netflix and HBO combined.” If that’s true, YouTube can’t compete for long.
After all, YouTube haven’t long increased their pricing. They were quiet about it before but in the US last year, they upped the individual plan by $2 which angered many of their subscribers. Just two years before that, YouTube increased the family plan by $5.
Is it a case of YouTube being greedy, or are there genuine reasons why the increase is needed? If YouTube creators see more earnings from this increase then at least the money is being fairly distributed, but, it’s unlikely YouTube won’t suffer a loss from this.
