Highlights
- Ad-free video streaming with YouTube Premium enhances user experience.
- Background play and offline viewing options available in YouTube Premium.
- YouTube Premium includes access to a vast library of music on YouTube Music Premium.
- Revenue sharing feature of YouTube Premium supports content creators.
YouTube undoubtedly has been a gift of the internet as the biggest video-sharing platform, offering a vast array of free content.
However, recently there has been a rise of YouTube Premium, the platform’s paid subscription service, which raises the question: Is YouTube Premium worth it in India in 2023?
Features and Benefits of YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium offers several compelling features, enhancing the user experience on the platform:
- Ad-Free Viewing: One of the primary benefits of YouTube Premium is the ad-free experience. Subscribers can watch videos without any ad interruptions, a significant advantage for avid YouTube users.
- Background Play and Offline Viewing: YouTube Premium also allows background play, enabling users to listen to videos with their screen locked, and offers offline playback for downloading videos for later viewing.
- YouTube Music Premium: The subscription includes access to YouTube Music Premium, providing ad-free music streaming from a vast catalog of songs.
- YouTube Originals Access: Subscribers get ad-free access to YouTube Originals and exclusive premium content. Although some Originals are available to all users, the ad-free experience is exclusive to Premium subscribers.
Pricing and Comparisons
The pricing of YouTube Premium in India is competitive compared to other markets.
With plans ranging from Rs 129 for a one-month subscription to Rs 1,290 for an annual plan, YouTube Premium is affordably priced, especially when compared to its cost in markets like the US.
This effectively makes YouTube Premium a very attractive option for Indian consumers, although the same cannot be said for the US market.
Supporting Creators and Revenue Sharing
An often-overlooked advantage of YouTube Premium is its revenue-sharing model. Subscribers indirectly support their favorite creators, as YouTube shares a portion of the revenue from Premium views with them.
This includes views on demonetized videos, making it a valuable way to support content creators.
Areas for Improvement
Despite its advantages, YouTube Premium is not without its drawbacks. Most YouTube Originals are not exclusive to Premium subscribers and can be viewed with ads on a free account.
Additionally, there’s a growing trend of prioritizing celebrity content over YouTubers, which could affect the platform’s original charm and appeal.
FAQs
Q1: What are the main features of YouTube Premium in India?
A1: YouTube Premium in India offers ad-free viewing, background play, offline video downloads, access to YouTube Music Premium, and ad-free YouTube Originals. These features significantly enhance the viewing and listening experience on the platform.
Q2: How does YouTube Premium’s pricing in India compare to other markets?
A2: YouTube Premium’s pricing in India is competitively lower than in markets like the US. It offers various plans, including Rs 129 for a one-month subscription and Rs 1,290 for an annual plan, making it an attractive option for Indian consumers.
Q3: How does subscribing to YouTube Premium support content creators?
A3: Subscribers of YouTube Premium indirectly support content creators through a revenue-sharing model. YouTube allocates a portion of the revenue from Premium views to creators, even for demonetized videos, providing a significant support channel.
Q4: What are some areas where YouTube Premium can improve?
A4: Despite its benefits, YouTube Premium can improve by offering more exclusive content in its YouTube Originals category. Also, there’s a need to balance celebrity and YouTuber content to maintain the platform’s unique appeal.
Also Read: YouTube will not Show Videos on the users Homepage if the Watch History is Off