YouTube Premium is expensive due to its ad-free viewing experience, exclusive access to YouTube Originals, and extra features like offline downloads and background playback. Subscribers get YouTube Music Premium bundled with their subscription. The higher price supports content creators and covers the costs of providing these premium benefits that improve user experience on the platform.
Are you a die-hard YouTube fan who cannot survive a day without watching your favorite videos? If so, then you must have come across the option of YouTube Premium.
But let’s be real – it can feel pretty expensive, especially when compared to other streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. So why is YouTube Premium so pricey? And is it worth shelling out extra cash for this service?
Well, my friend, I’m here to answer those questions for you. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the various features that YouTube Premium has to offer and what makes it different from its free version or other video-streaming platforms.
By the end of this post, you will have all the information necessary to make an informed decision about whether or not YouTube Premium is worth your investment.
Let’s dive in!
10 Reasons Why YouTube Premium Is So Expensive
1. Ad-Free Viewing Experience
The ad-free viewing experience provided by YouTube Premium is a significant factor contributing to its higher cost compared to the platform’s basic, ad-supported access.
Removing advertisements from videos requires compensating creators and maintaining the platform without relying on ad revenue, which inevitably increases subscription fees for users who desire a seamless streaming experience.
Consider a user who watches multiple videos daily and frequently encounters disruptive ads – with YouTube Premium, they can enjoy an uninterrupted experience that allows them to fully engage with content.
This improvement in user experience justifies the premium price tag for those seeking to avoid advertising distractions while enjoying their favorite channels or discovering new ones.
2. Access to YouTube Originals Content
These exclusive productions, which include movies, series, and documentaries featuring popular creators or celebrities, involve significant investment in terms of production budgets and resource allocation.
Providing subscribers with high-quality original programming adds value to their subscription but also contributes to its premium pricing.
For instance, consider the release of a new web series produced by YouTube that stars a famous creator or actor – this type of content often boasts high production values and storytelling comparable to mainstream television shows or films.
Subscribers who enjoy these exclusives not only benefit from an ad-free viewing experience but also from engaging programming available solely on the platform.
The creation and availability of YouTube Originals as part of a Premium subscription contribute to making it more expensive than other options like basic ad-supported access.
3. Offline Downloading and Viewing
Offline downloading and viewing is a valuable feature included in YouTube Premium subscriptions, allowing users to save videos for later enjoyment when they lack internet access or want to conserve data usage.
Implementing this feature requires additional technical infrastructure and support, which contributes to the higher cost associated with the platform’s premium service. Imagine someone planning a long trip without reliable internet connectivity, such as a lengthy flight or remote camping excursion.
With YouTube Premium’s offline downloading capability, they can preload their device with their favorite content, ensuring an uninterrupted source of entertainment during their journey. This convenience significantly elevates user experience by offering flexibility that caters to various types of lifestyle demands.
4. Background Playback Feature
One of the more practical features offered by YouTube Premium is the background playback function, which permits users to continue listening to audio from videos even when they navigate away from the app or lock their screen.
This is especially useful for those who consume podcasts, audiobooks, or music through the platform. However, this premium feature also contributes to its higher price point as it demands additional technological resources and continuous support.
For example, consider someone who frequently listens to educational content while completing household chores or exercising.
With YouTube Premium’s background playback feature, they can effortlessly multitask without needing to keep their device screen unlocked and constantly focused on YouTube.
5. Subscription Supports Content Creators
A portion of the subscription revenue is distributed to creators based on watch time, which in turn helps them generate income and continue producing high-quality content for their audience.
This financial support system encourages creativity and sustains a thriving ecosystem of diverse content. Take the case of a talented yet lesser-known creator who produces niche videos that cater to a specific audience segment.
Through YouTube Premium’s revenue-sharing model, these creators can receive compensation for their work and invest more time and resources into crafting engaging content tailored to their fan base.
As subscribers enjoy an ad-free viewing experience, they also contribute indirectly to fostering a dynamic environment where various types of content can flourish.
6. Includes YouTube Music Premium
This bundled service offers an extensive music library, ad-free listening, and the ability to download songs for offline playback. By combining these two premium offerings into one package, subscribers receive added value that extends beyond video content alone.
Consider the following scenario: a music enthusiast subscribes to YouTube Premium and gains access not only to ad-free videos but also to an entire world of music at their fingertips.
They can enjoy millions of tracks from various genres without interruptions or distractions in addition to their favorite video content. For many users, this comprehensive entertainment package can rival other popular services such as Spotify or Apple Music.
The bundling of YouTube Music Premium with YouTube Premium increases the overall cost of the combined subscription.
7. Regular Updates and Improvements to The Platform
These continuous enhancements can involve implementing new features, refining existing ones, or expanding access to new markets. In order to keep pace with evolving industry standards and user expectations, YouTube invests substantial resources in research, development, and maintenance.
For example, consider the introduction of new features like picture-in-picture mode (allowing users to watch videos while using other apps), offline downloads for convenient content access without an internet connection, or improvements in personalized recommendations.
Each of these innovations requires time, effort, and financial investment from YouTube’s product development teams. These ongoing updates serve as a testament to the platform’s commitment to delivering the best possible experience for its Premium subscribers.
8. Cross-Platform Access on Multiple Devices
This feature allows subscribers to enjoy ad-free content seamlessly across various devices like smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and laptops.
Providing this level of convenience requires significant investment in technology and infrastructure as well as constant updates to maintain compatibility with new hardware and software.
Consider this scenario: a user begins watching a YouTube Originals series on their smart TV at home. They then need to leave the house but want to continue watching on their mobile device during their commute.
With YouTube Premium’s cross-platform access, subscribers can easily transition between devices without losing progress or sacrificing quality.
Offering this kind of flexibility ensures a consistently enjoyable experience regardless of where or how users choose to consume content – but it comes at an increased cost compared to more basic options that may only provide access through certain platforms or devices.
9. High-Quality Streaming Options
Offering superior video quality requires more advanced technology and greater bandwidth usage, which in turn leads to increased expenses for the platform. Consequently, these extra costs are passed on to subscribers who desire an optimal viewing experience.
Take a popular movie or series being released on YouTube Originals as an example: with 4K capabilities available to Premium users, they can enjoy a crystal-clear picture that rivals what’s offered by other top-tier streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
This level of quality demands significant investment in infrastructure and data transmission from Google, YouTube’s parent company.
The high-quality streaming options made available through YouTube Premium serve to justify its higher price point compared to basic ad-supported access or even some rival platforms.
10. Frequent Exclusive Offers and Promotions for Subscribers
These exclusives are a strategic approach to attract new users and maintain their interest, ensuring that they stay subscribed. Such offers often include early access to original content, discounts on merchandise, or even special features unique to Premium members.
For instance, when a popular YouTuber launches new merchandise or organizes an event, YouTube Premium subscribers may receive priority purchasing opportunities or discounted tickets.
By providing these perks, the platform can justify its higher price tag compared to other streaming services as it delivers added value for those who choose to pay extra.
This example demonstrates that frequent exclusive offers and promotions play a role in keeping YouTube Premium’s pricing at a premium level, making it seem more expensive than it might be otherwise.