New YouTube Premium plan could split the bill in half
YouTube is testing a new two-person Premium subscription tier, allowing users to share access with an additional person beyond themselves. The trial is currently being run in India, France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, offering select users discounted pricing for two people.
The new tier targets couples, roommates, and small households unsuitable for the existing Family or Individual plans. To be eligible, both members must be 13 years or older, have a Google account, and be part of the same Google family group.
In India, the two-person YouTube Premium subscription tier is being offered for Rs. 219 (~$2.60) per month, while the shared YouTube Premium Music subscription is being offered for Rs. 149 (~$1.77) per month. YouTube confirmed the pilot program, stating, “We’re experimenting with new ways to provide greater flexibility and value to our YouTube Premium subscribers, including offering a two-person Premium plan option, allowing two people to share a subscription at a reduced cost.”
The Two-person plan sits alongside the Family and Individual plans, encouraging users to share their YouTube Premium subscription with family members to get the most value. While it is ideal for couples and smaller households, the Family plan remains a better option for households with three or more people.
The Two-person plan’s expansion to other regions is currently uncertain. However, users looking for a cheaper ad-free YouTube option can explore the YouTube Premium Lite subscription, which provides access to ad-free videos across most categories but shows ads on music, music videos, and Shorts.