YouTube Red to Premium Incoming Price Hike (~ USD $2/Month) - Can Secure Existing Rates if Susbscribing Now @ YouTube

Detective Pikachu on 17/05/2018 - 19:35
Last edited 18/05/2018 - 01:11 by 1 other user

Moved to Forum: Original Link

This post is for those interested in YouTube Red and Google Play Music Subscriptions or existing subscribers of these services.

Not sure of the exact price hike due to exchange rates and the limited information from the announcement, but it's around USD $2/month.

As of this post, there is no confirmed date of when YouTube Red and Google Play Music will transition to YouTube Premium in Australia, though this official Youtube article says the change to Youtube Music will happen on 22 May..

The new YouTube Premium includes:

  • The new YouTube Music: ad-free, with background listening and downloads
  • More, bigger original series and movies
  • Ad-free, background play, and downloads across YouTube

YouTube Premium rolls out soon in existing markets.
YouTube Premium will be available for $11.99 per month (U.S. price) or you can unlock the full experience of the new YouTube Music by itself with Music Premium for $9.99 per month (U.S. price).

When YouTube Premium launches, YouTube Red members will automatically receive access at their current price. In countries where YouTube Red is currently available, a new member can also secure this price ($9.99 in the U.S.) by joining now at youtube.com/red.

General Discussion

Related Stores

googleblog.com
googleblog.com

Comments

  • cheapo999 on 17/05/2018 - 19:43
    +1

    Just subscribed to family plan. Not sure if the fee will increase as well.

    • Detective Pikachu on 17/05/2018 - 19:47

      As of writing this comment, there's no information regarding the family plan at the moment, but I assume it will receive a similar or a relative hike in price, if a family plan will exist moving forward.

  • reactor-au on 17/05/2018 - 19:51
    +24

    At this rate we will be better off with Spotify for music and adblocker for YouTube…. I don't see the justification for the price hike.

    • kulprit on 17/05/2018 - 20:07

      We have spotify for music currently as we can get a group together for the family plan. Can't do with the Google Play Music as it opens up your payment method to everyone. Would prefer Play now I think, music is pretty much the same but lets you get no Youtube ads.

      • ESEMCE on 18/05/2018 - 08:50

        Prepaid credit on the shared account.

    • bobzor on 17/05/2018 - 23:30

      Is there a YouTube ad blocker? On mobile?

      • Click_It on 18/05/2018 - 00:06
        -1

        Yeah 99% sure the answer is no. Someone please prove me wrong :)

      • kpm on 18/05/2018 - 00:13
        +3

        Assuming you're on Android, there's quite a lot of good feedback for DN566 - I personally haven't used it though. Never mind, I read a bit more into it and it doesn't appear to work for ads within the YouTube app itself.

        If you're on Android, you could use an alternative player like NewPipe or YouTube Vanced. They both block the ads and don't require you to root your device.

        If you're on iOS, you're probably less likely to have an app available to you. I've read that you can potentially install uBlock (or another adblocking extension) onto Firefox on your phone and then run YouTube in the browser to block the ads. Again, I haven't personally done this though, so can't verify it.

        • Big Dog on 18/05/2018 - 00:52

          They both block the ads and don't require you to root your device.

          Do either of those Android apps allow for background playback of videos similar to the way YouTube Red does?

        • kale chips suck on 18/05/2018 - 01:15
          +2

          @Big Dog:Vanced does. edit: The other Android option might also, I don't know. Haven't tested it.

        • waterbottled on 18/05/2018 - 08:34
          +1

          Can vouch for YouTube Vanced. Pretty much premium youtube features for free for android. Can't go wrong.

      • DogGunn on 18/05/2018 - 00:30
        +1

        On Android you can download an app called YouTube Vanced which is just the YouTube app with Premium features (like ad free and picture in picture) enabled for free.

      • drmarshall on 18/05/2018 - 21:38

        You can use adguard, which blocks ads on browser for free but you will have to pay if you want to block ads through apps.

    • JLHC on 18/05/2018 - 12:57

      I hope I don't get downvoted for this but adblocker is not right though. You are depriving the content creator their source of income.

      The usual argument by many adblocker proponents is that they are willing to pay to remove ads but when given the option they will find another excuse to not pay.

      Also, the price hike doesn't affect you if you already have a YouTube Red subscription (which includes Google Play Music and YouTube Music) and you will continue paying the old price.

    • Axelstrife on 18/05/2018 - 12:43

      why the hell would they "phase out" android app store?

      • Raynes on 18/05/2018 - 23:18

        Meant to say Google Play Music.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2018 - 19:57
    +2

    Probably belongs in the forums. But thanks! Eas about to upgrade to the family plan.

    YouTube Red members will automatically receive access at their current price

    I remember when Netflix did that. Didn't last unfortunately….co-incided with when I stopped subscribing.

    I wiah they'd split Youtube Red originals off for $2 more then. Happy with just ad-free for $12….$15 will be way too much.

    • Detective Pikachu on 17/05/2018 - 19:59

      Allegedly:

      If that price changes in the future, we will give plenty of notice.

      Though that add-on package method sounds reasonable, I don't think YouTube wants to isolate their own productions by another paywall.

      • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2018 - 20:12

        Of course they will! In about 6mths. Shouldn't complain but I will :-)

        Ive actually got a google music subscription, not youtube red plan (as in I have to goto Goolge Music to manage my subscription) i wonder if I get the price freeze on a youtube premium subscription or just a google music subscription & need ditch that & get a new youtube premium subscription if I want ad-free ?

        • Detective Pikachu on 17/05/2018 - 20:15

          That I'm not too sure, the article still lacks lots of information regarding the transition, at the moment it just specifies YouTube Red, you might need to contact YouTube sales to be sure.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2018 - 20:57

          @Detective Pikachu: yeah I tried and was reassured that Goolge Music will be the same as always!!! Anyway after re-asking 3 times they suggested I cancel Google Music & Subscribe to YouTube Red. Cancellation is immediate and no prorata refunds (i.e. do it the night before your subscription is due)

          <Sigh> they don't make it easy.

  • HardQuiz on 17/05/2018 - 20:23

    I hate YouTube ads on my Smart TV and phone. I bought a lot of GP gift cards and subscribed to Google Music just to remove YouTube ads!

    I will be angry if they remove YouTube Red from Music subscriptions!

    • cuteseal on 17/05/2018 - 21:18

      Me too - I just have YouTube Red to get rid of the ads and was using my Telstra credit to purchase subscriptions.

      Now they make you buy YouTube Music for the same price and pay $2 more to get YouTube Premium. Brilliant plan for Google but sucks for users! Especially if you prefer using Spotify like me.

      I'll probably go back to Youtube with Ads once my subscriptions expire.

      • ExtraSalt on 18/05/2018 - 09:46

        I actually prefer Google Play Music….Spotify was good, but missing a lot of my bands/albums.

    • OZB Al on 18/05/2018 - 08:53

      I just run Smart YouTube on the TV and Vanced on the phone. Both work perfectly and don't have any ads.

      • HardQuiz on 18/05/2018 - 08:55

        What about Apple TV and iOS devices?

    • ExtraSalt on 18/05/2018 - 09:45

      as noted in this post and on YT's announcement, i believe if (like me) you are current subscriber, you will get the same services (YT Premium) at no extra cost.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2018 - 20:28
    +1

    I just want to watch YouTube without ads.. I don't understand why it's so expensive. I can get Apple Music for $5.99 a month because I still have access to my student email.. Can't justify $15-17 a month to get rid of ads when I watch maybe 10-20 minutes a day of YouTube

    • Car-la-la on 17/05/2018 - 20:59

      10-20 mins a day —- what do you watch?

  • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2018 - 20:30
    +21
    • Youtube Red
    • Google Play Music
    • Youtube Music
    • Youtube Premium
    • Music Premium

    Can someone draw a frickin venn diagram for us Apple users with low IQ?

    • pennypincher98 on 17/05/2018 - 20:51
      +2

      Venn diagram.
      @LoopyLou

      I love it when things like that happen ;)
      Also thankyou for giving me a laugh lol

    • cdaddy on 17/05/2018 - 23:37

      Yea its called dont pay YouTube anything, Use it to watch videos and Spotify for music.

    • ExtraSalt on 18/05/2018 - 09:49
      +2

      Current plan:
      Google Play Music + Youtube Red = 1 subscription

      Future plans:
      Google Play Music = Youtube Music
      Google Play Music + Youtube Red = Youtube Premium
      Youtube Red

      Current Subscribers
      Google Play Music + Youtube Red = Youtube Premium @ old/existing rates

      • kulprit on 18/05/2018 - 10:26

        I think the question people have is does it depend on how you are currently subscribed.

        It is clear that if you current have Youtube Red (with google play music included), you'll get upgrade to Youtube Premium.

        However if you current pay for Google Play Music (with Youtube Red), it seems like you'll lose the Red (not get the ad free youtube)

        I know that currently either way you pay (via GPM or YR) you end up with the same stuff, but it might affect what upgrade you get.

        • ESEMCE on 18/05/2018 - 10:41
          +1

          No..
          Per the official Blog "Google Play Music subscribers in the U.S., Australia, South Korea, New Zealand and Mexico will continue to get the features they already enjoy at the same price they pay today", ie will get Youtube Premium.

        • ExtraSalt on 18/05/2018 - 19:31

          hmm i get where you are coming from….i share the same understanding as @Scubacoles. hopefully Scuba and i are right…for many of the people also currently subbed to GPM. I'd happily drop YTR if they want to play that game though

    • [Deactivated] on 18/05/2018 - 13:44
      -3

      Are there Apple users who don't have a low IQ?

  • meph3x6 on 17/05/2018 - 20:50

    Here's another blog post with more of a music focus. https://youtube.googleblog.com/2018/05/youtube-music-new-mus…

    If you are a subscriber to Google Play Music, good news, you get a YouTube Music Premium membership as part of your subscription each month. And if you use Google Play Music, nothing will change — you’ll still be able to access all of your purchased music, uploads and playlists in Google Play Music just like always

    So as a GPM subscriber we get YouTube music premium. Yay. Not clear if we still get the associated YouTube red (now YouTube premium) benefits:

    YouTube Premium will continue to provide an ad-free experience, background play, and downloads across the millions of videos on YouTube. But because it includes our brand new YouTube Music service, the price will be $11.99 for all new members. If you’re already a YouTube Red (soon to be YouTube Premium) member, don’t worry you’ll still enjoy your current price.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2018 - 21:03

      Not clear if we still get the associated YouTube red (now YouTube premium) benefits:

      I'm guessing not, otherwise why would you subscribe to YTP?

    • ESEMCE on 18/05/2018 - 08:56

      Well that's bullshit isn't it.
      I bought my GPM sub for both adfree youtube and music.
      Now they change the rules and I lose half of what I've prepaid.
      My Sub expires in October.

    • ESEMCE on 18/05/2018 - 09:03

      OK, it's not going to be like that..

      Current YouTube Red and Google Play Music subscribers in the U.S., Australia, South Korea, New Zealand and Mexico will continue to get the features they already enjoy at the same price they pay today. Google Play Music subscribers in all other countries will automatically have access to YouTube Music Premium as soon as it becomes available there.

      (emphasis added)
      So I read that to mean Australian GPM subscribers will get Youtube Premium level access at the GPM price.

      When my prepaid sub expires, I guess I'll have to make the call whether it's worth buying Premium or whether I take my music subscription elsewhere, hack adfree youtube and start supporting my Youtube channels directly with Patreon.

  • BlinkyBill on 17/05/2018 - 20:55

    Just checked my Play music account, still showing $9.99.

  • lplau on 17/05/2018 - 21:11
    +4

    Got excited for a second there when i saw Tube and Red….

  • Jklaro on 17/05/2018 - 21:22

    So is YouTube red supposed to be 9.99aud or 11.99aud at the moment then moving to 15.99aud with premium? Cos I've got 11.99 for single red plan.

  • scuderiarmani on 17/05/2018 - 21:23
    +1

    So I'm on the full family YouTube red/play music thing, nothing really is going to change bar the name? But I may get more content I don't care for?

  • QuicheLorraine on 17/05/2018 - 21:35

    Very much looking forward to this. As an early adapter of YouTube Red, I am still on the AUD$9.99 plan. This will be a pretty damn good saving if they price the new YouTube Premium at AUD$15 or thereabouts.

    edit: Australian pricing: https://www.finder.com.au/youtube-music-in-australia-what-yo…

    • reactor-au on 17/05/2018 - 23:03

      I'm keeping my eyes open for a ozbargain special on time machines

  • Plentiful3271 on 17/05/2018 - 22:46

    Ugh. I'm a paid up GPM member until 2021 (Telstra prepaid shenanigans…). I've only ever used this for the free YouTube Red… now it looks like that is going away for GPM members.

    • aj3000 on 17/05/2018 - 23:06

      Current GPM members are YTR members as well. So you'll get the new YTP which includes YTMP.

      YouTube Music (YTM) - Free, ad supported music platform
      YouTube Music Premium (YTMP) - paid subscription of YTM
      YouTube Premium (YTP) - paid YouTube subscription which is the new name of YouTube Red(YTR). This will include YTMP and all current YTR features.

      So if you are an existing YTR or GPM subscriber, you will be migrated to YTP. Clear as mud?

      • gilbarc on 17/05/2018 - 23:28

        I don't know, this article makes it sound like GPM subscribers will only be getting YTMP…

        • aj3000 on 17/05/2018 - 23:52

          Possible.. If your GPM settings says "YouTube Red member" in the Account section, you are safe.

  • NobalaKoba on 17/05/2018 - 23:29
    +1

    I'll stick to YouTube Vanced and not paying.

    Wouldn't need to if the ads weren't so common, PiP mode and background playback were enabled for free.

  • Big Dog on 17/05/2018 - 23:45
    +1

    I subscribe to YouTube Red.

    Will I still have access to Google Play Music at the sane price I pay now, after the changes?

    • aj3000 on 17/05/2018 - 23:53
      +1

      Yes. In addition to all that, you will also have access to the new YouTube Music Premium.

      • Big Dog on 18/05/2018 - 00:15
        +2

        Thanks. Google will no doubt have to clarify all this. Bit of a mess they've made of this announcement!

        • ExtraSalt on 18/05/2018 - 09:51

          I almost think quick-thinking ill-advised blogs have messed this up. I got different information from a few different tech blogs, went to YT's press release and it all made sense.

    • Windows98 on 18/05/2018 - 00:02

      Just out of curiosity. In your monthly bills, does it say you're paying for YouTube Red, or Google Play Music?

      • Big Dog on 18/05/2018 - 00:09
        +5

        I have a monthly subscription to YouTube Red. I pay using my Google Play credit purchased using Google Play gift cards at 20% off from the supermarket.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2018 - 23:47

    So if you have YouTube Red currently, nothing really changes.. still get Google Play Music and ad free YouTube. Just a name change.

  • Windows98 on 17/05/2018 - 23:57

    This is what concerns me.

    Currently, if you pay for either YouTube red or GPM, you got both.

    But acording to this link
    It says:

    If you are a subscriber to Google Play Music, good news, you get a YouTube Music Premium membership as part of your subscription each month
    Which only gets you music

    Then it also says

    If you’re already a YouTube Red (soon to be YouTube Premium) member, don’t worry you’ll still enjoy your current price
    Which gets you ad free YouTube and music

    But under my monthly billing details, it says I'm paying for GPM. So does that mean when the new system comes out, I'll get ported to YTMP and lose ad free YouTube??

    • Big Dog on 18/05/2018 - 00:13

      So does that mean when the new system comes out, I'll get ported to YTMP and lose ad free YouTube??

      Yes, that is my understanding. It's not very clear though. So maybe not??

  • chowmanly on 17/05/2018 - 23:59
    +2

    Thank you for the heads up

  • Click_It on 18/05/2018 - 00:09

    It's all getting confusing. Youtube ads was tolerable with the 1 basic ad but now most show 2 and that's really getting annoying.

    I just want the ads gone and would pay a basic fee to do so but I don't want or care for any extra features. I guess there is no business reason for Google to cater to people like me (ads generate more money than whatever fair figure I'd be willing to pay)

    • NobalaKoba on 18/05/2018 - 00:27
      +1

      If you use Android try YouTube Vanced.
      Removes ads and adds a few YouTube red features like background playback.

      Here's the download page. Don't need to root/mod your phone, just install MicroG Vanced from that page so you can log into your YouTube account in YouTube Vanced and install whatever colour version of YouTube Vanced you want.

      • Big Dog on 18/05/2018 - 00:31

        Does this involve sharing your password with someone other than Google?

        • NobalaKoba on 18/05/2018 - 00:37
          +1

          Nope, it's because it's a modified YouTube app, and if you modify an app that uses Google's API's, it can break it iirc.

          Your password will only be seen by Google/YouTube.

          There's also a Magisk version if your phone is rooted, and it's open source.

        • Big Dog on 18/05/2018 - 00:40

          @BradleyDS2:
          Thanks for that.

    • Make it so on 18/05/2018 - 01:00
      +2

      I have been on chat and upgraded our subscription to a paid family one, although one of our accounts was still on a free trial. One of our other accounts had recently paid for a month (personal subscription), which they fully refunded when I asked to cancel it (as it was being joined to a family plan). I asked when the price hike would apply, but they said they don't have information on that.

      Thanks OP for the warning. I was going to wait another month with upgrading to a family plan, but it looks like 22 May may be the date of the hike, based on the article above.

  • hazzad on 18/05/2018 - 08:13
    +2

    One successful show and they jack up the price.

  • denno020 on 18/05/2018 - 08:38

    I wouldn't be surprised to find out that George R. R. Martin owned a huge stake in Google.. Just when you get attached to someone/something, BAM, kill it off!

  • ExtraSalt on 18/05/2018 - 09:56

    What about Redtube Premium?

    • reactor-au on 18/05/2018 - 17:05
      +1

      Well if they include that then maybe the price jack is justified after all

      • [Deactivated] on 18/05/2018 - 20:10

        the price jack is justified

        That'd be a pay-per-flick model?

  • TheSmegger on 18/05/2018 - 11:28

    I'm using an individual plan trial, from gpm, that expires at the end of July. The plan was, to sign up for a family plan at that point.
    Here's the rub, do I cancel the freebie on the 22nd and sign up then, or, is the six weeks of freebie worth the extra I'll be paying after?
    Crystal ball anyone?

    • HardQuiz on 18/05/2018 - 12:05

      I have the same dilemma…

      I was thinking of contacting Google via live chat and asking them to upgrade my current plan to a family plan and use whatever credit I have (plan expires August) to the upgraded new family plan.

    • ExtraSalt on 18/05/2018 - 19:33

      cancel and sign up! or is there a way to sub now and still use hte remainder of your trial? go to Google Chat..they are surprisingly helpful

  • roosterman on 18/05/2018 - 19:20
    +1

    This was email i got little while ago and assume all subs would get same. Looks like price not changing just yet but wouldnt surprise if they jacked it soon..

    From mail

    YouTube Red will soon become YouTube Premium.

    In the coming weeks, YouTube Red will get a new name – YouTube Premium. Your YouTube Premium membership will include all of the same YouTube Red benefits, including ad-free videos, background play, and downloads.

    You’ll also still have access to all YouTube Originals, including recent hits like Cobra Kai, Step Up: High Water, and upcoming shows like Impulse and Liza on Demand.

    A new music streaming service from YouTube.

    As a YouTube Premium member, your ad-free, background play, and download benefits will extend to the all-new YouTube Music, coming soon.
    YouTube Music will include a reimagined mobile app and new desktop experience.

  • 11112007 on 03/10/2018 - 07:43

    Existing GPM/YT Red subscriber here.

    Woke up this morning and don't have YT Premium anymore even though my current sub expires in over 18 months.

    • reactor-au on 04/10/2018 - 11:44

      Try turning off your VPN

      • 11112007 on 04/10/2018 - 12:12

        I contacted support.

        The reason was I had 4X 6 month subscriptions stacked.

        So they treat the end of the first 6 months as the end of subscription.

        So I had to upgrade to YT Premium and pay the $3 difference per month :(

        • reactor-au on 04/10/2018 - 14:46

          I think im paying 11.99 what's your monthly?

          • 11112007 on 04/10/2018 - 21:35

            @reactor-au: It would be the current price.

            The 6 month coupons I got were free so I'm paying the $ difference between the 6 month code and the current price.

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