July 21, 2023, 11:07 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Currently, there’s a wave of price hikes sweeping through streaming services. After several major providers have already raised their prices, YouTube is now following suit with its Premium subscription.
Parent company Google has adjusted the prices for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music—upward. While the last price increase only affected the family plan, now all plans are involved. As of now, the new prices are initially taking effect in the U.S. But what does this mean for German customers?
Price Increase for YouTube Premium and Music
In fact, YouTube is by no means the only service that has recently raised its prices. Sometimes it seems impossible to escape all the price hikes. For instance, Sky just announced a price increase and the introduction of an ad-supported subscription for its streaming service Wow. Streaming giant Netflix, for example, is eliminating its low-cost plan in many countries to promote its ad-supported subscription. RTL+ did something similar at the beginning of the year. In the gaming sector, the Game Pass has become more expensive, and both Amazon Music and Tidal now cost more than they did last year.
In our comprehensive overview, you can get an overview of the price developments of streaming services.
In the U.S., the price increase for YouTube Premium and Music applies directly to new customers. When the change will also apply to existing customers is not entirely clear. However, most will likely see the new prices in their next billing cycle. Google must inform subscribers at least 30 days in advance of such an adjustment.
Read also: What’s changing with ads on YouTube in the future
Amazon Increases the Price of its Music Unlimited Subscription
Apple Music Gets More Expensive: New Prices Now in Effect in Germany
These Are the New YouTube Premium Prices After the Increase
Previously, a subscription to YouTube Music in the U.S. cost $9.99 per month (equivalent to 9.99 euros in Germany). YouTube Premium cost $11.99 per month before the increase (11.99 euros in Germany). Now, Music costs $10.99 and Premium even $13.99 per month. This represents an increase of 10 and nearly 17 percent, respectively. The YouTube Premium annual subscription will now cost $139.99 instead of the previous $119.99, which also represents an increase of nearly 17 percent.
Those who subscribe through Apple’s payment system have already been paying more. And this model is also subject to the price increase: Apple customers now pay $18.99 (previously $15.99). This is also the largest percentage increase at nearly 19 percent.
Here is an overview of the new prices in the U.S.:
- YouTube Premium: $13.99
- YouTube Premium annual subscription: $139.99 (approximately $11.67 per month)
- YouTube Music: $10.99
Read also: YouTube introduces new features—what users should know
Will YouTube Also Become More Expensive in Germany?
So far, the price increase only applies in the U.S. When asked, a company spokesperson told TECHBOOK that the price increase is necessary to continue providing subscribers with “great service and good features.” However, no comments were made regarding plans for Germany.
It can be assumed, however, that the price increase for YouTube Premium will also come to Germany. Since the U.S. market is one of the most important for YouTube, changes there usually mean adjustments in almost all other countries. If this happens, German customers will likely also pay 10.99 or 13.99 euros per month in the future.