YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium subscribers in Singapore will face significant price hikes starting November 2024, with the family plan seeing an increase of up to 56 per cent. Subscribers were notified of the changes on September 21, and the new rates will be reflected in their November bills.
Background
The price hike is part of YouTube’s strategy to continue delivering high-quality service and features. The company stated, “We don’t make these decisions lightly, and this update will allow us to continue to improve Premium and support the creators and artists you watch on YouTube.” The main benefits of a YouTube Premium subscription include ad-free content, the ability to download videos for offline viewing, a background player function, and the ability to keep videos playing even when the device is switched off. YouTube Music Premium offers ad-free access to its music streaming service.
Price increases
YouTube Premium
- Family plan: S$17.98 to S$27.98 (56 per cent increase)
- Individual plan: S$11.98 to S$13.98
- Student plan: S$6.98 to S$8.98
YouTube Music Premium
- Family plan: S$14.98 to S$17.98
- Individual plan: S$9.98 to S$10.98
YouTube Music Premium (iOS users)
- Family plan: S$14.98 to S$19.98
- Individual plan: S$9.98 to S$12.98
Subscriber reactions
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among subscribers. Some are concerned about the steep increase, especially for the family plan. A current subscriber commented, “This new price reflects the complete value of YouTube Premium and will allow us to develop even more Premium features and continue to support the creators and artists our members watch and listen to on YouTube.”
Comparison with other services
This price hike follows a similar move by Amazon Singapore, which recently increased its Prime membership fees. The trend suggests a broader shift in the subscription service market, where companies are adjusting prices to reflect the growing costs of content creation and service maintenance.
Future implications
The price increase marks the first major adjustment for YouTube Premium in Singapore since its launch in November 2019. As the digital content landscape evolves, subscribers can expect more changes in the future. YouTube has assured users that they will be notified by email at least 30 days in advance before any further price changes.
Subscribers are encouraged to review their plans and consider the value they derive from the service, especially in light of these new rates.
