YouTube is implementing a major price increase in its Premium Plan, according to Engadget. Starting November 21, the Premium Plan will be $22.99 from the previous price of $17.99.
The substantial price hike is announced today through an email to subscribers. The said $22.99 price would apply to the Family Plan, which allows for up to six accounts to use the same subscription.
Change in YouTube Family Plan Price Will Take Place on November 21
The $5 increase from the previous price is over 25% of the former price, as per The Verge. In addition, those who are subscribed through the Apple App Store would have to pay $29.99 per month instead of $22.99.
Despite the increase in the Family Plan, the streaming platform does not appear to be implementing a hike in the cost of YouTube Premium for individual accounts. Based on YouTube's website, the cost is still $11.99 per month.
If you are a new subscriber, you will no longer be able to sign up for the previous $17.99 plan, as the change in price is already in effect for new subscribers.
However, for current subscribers, "this change will take place on your next billing cycle starting on or after November 21, 2022," according to an email from YouTube, shared by 9to5Google.
It is unclear why YouTube decided to implement a major price hike in its Family Plan. Since 2018, YouTube Premium has kept the same $17.99 price.
Google has a support page where you can express your complaints if you are not happy with the price increase. However, the company issued a statement that "you will not receive a response" even if you send a message to the page.
Read Also: New YouTube Premium Referral Program Offers 12 Months Free | Here's How
YouTube Stops Its Experiment That Involves 4K Streaming of Videos
YouTube implemented its price hike just a few days after the company ended its "experiment," which requires users to have a YouTube Premium account in order to stream videos in 4K.
Earlier this month, you will see the word "Premium" next to the 4K resolution option when you try to access the drop-down menu. This only means you have to be a premium user to be able to watch the video in 4K.
This is part of YouTube's experiment, and this applies only to select users. But just a few days ago, the streaming platform decided to end this experiment.
"We've fully turned off this experiment. viewers should now be able to access 4K quality resolutions without Premium membership," TeamYouTube tweeted.
Since it ended, all users can now stream 4K videos on the platform, even if they are not Premium account users.
YouTube Premium users can watch videos on the platform without advertising. The subscription plan also allows users to play videos in the background, as well as download videos to watch offline.
Just like the sudden increase of YouTube's Family Plan, the streaming platform did not explain why it decided to discontinue the experiment.
However, it is likely that it was stopped because the experiment got significant negative feedback from the users.
Related Article: YouTube Stops Test Requiring Premium Subscription to Watch Videos in 4K
