YouTube is currently piloting a new subscription option for its Premium service, allowing two users to share a plan. The initiative is being tested in four countries, including India, and aims to enhance YouTube’s growth in subscription memberships. Existing options for users include individual, family, and student subscriptions.
YouTube Introduces Two-Person Premium Features
The Google-owned video platform is experimenting with a two-person Premium membership plan, a concept similar to Spotify’s Duo plan. This test was first reported by MoneyControl, and further details can be found on the YouTube India website.
At this stage, the two-person subscription option is available to a limited number of users in India as part of the pilot initiative. The program is also being trialed in additional markets such as France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, with plans for broader availability in the near future.
YouTube aims to provide more “flexibility and value” with this new offering, as noted in the MoneyControl report. The two-person subscription is priced at Rs. 219 per month, making it a more affordable option compared to the Family plan which costs Rs. 299 monthly.
For reference, the individual and student plans for YouTube Premium are offered at Rs. 149 and Rs. 89 per month, respectively. Notably, YouTube adjusted its Premium pricing in India during August of last year.
Eligibility for the two-person plan requires both users to be at least 13 years old, possess a Google Account, and reside at the same address, according to YouTube’s guidelines.
This initiative by YouTube to implement a two-person subscription plan is part of a broader strategy to boost revenue from subscriptions and lessen dependence on advertising income. This plan allows two individuals from the same household to benefit from Premium features at a reduced rate while maintaining separate accounts.
YouTube Premium subscribers enjoy various benefits, including an ad-free viewing experience, video downloads for offline use, and background playback capabilities. Recently, the platform also launched a Premium Lite plan in select countries like the USA, Australia, Germany, and Thailand, offering a more budget-friendly alternative with limited benefits compared to standard subscriptions.
