We knew that a cheaper version of YouTube Premium was on the way, and now YouTube has finally launched its Premium Lite plan in the US and announced plans to make it more widely available in its pilot markets. While this is great news for users in those regions, we still have no official word on when (or if) YouTube Premium Lite will make its way to Kenya.
Premium Lite is positioned as a more affordable way to enjoy YouTube videos without ads, costing $7.99 per month in the US. However, this pricing is still steeper than the full-fledged YouTube Premium plan in Kenya, which currently sits at Kshs 499 per month.
According to YouTube’s blog post, the service will soon be rolled out to its existing pilot markets, which include Thailand, Germany, and Australia. However, there’s no mention of an expansion to other regions, leaving Kenyan users in limbo.
What does YouTube Premium Lite offer?
Unlike the full YouTube Premium subscription, Premium Lite primarily focuses on removing ads from videos. It lacks key features such as background play, offline downloads, and access to YouTube Music, making it a limited offering compared to the standard Premium plan. This means if you enjoy listening to music ad-free or using YouTube while your phone screen is off, you’ll still need to stick with the full subscription.
IMO, this plan is meant for those who already have a Spotify or Apple Music account for streaming music.
What about pricing in Kenya?
If Premium Lite eventually lands in Kenya, it’s almost guaranteed to be priced lower than the current YouTube Premium subscription. YouTube typically adjusts its pricing based on regional economic conditions, so it would make sense for a more budget-friendly version to be offered here at a cheaper rate than the US price.
However, until YouTube officially confirms its expansion plans beyond the current pilot markets, we’ll have to wait and see if we’ll get access to this new plan.
Would you subscribe to YouTube Premium Lite if it became available in Kenya, or does the full Premium package still offer better value? Let us know in the comments.
