After YouTube announced that it "launched a global effort" to get users to allow ads or try YouTube Premium, the video sharing platform has now moved to increase its monthly subscription prices in seven different countries.
YouTube Premium subscribers have reported these hikes in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, Germany, Poland, and Turkey.
According to screenshots of the notice sent via email to affected subscribers posted on Reddit page r/YouTube, the platform says that it does not “make these decisions lightly”.
The email further adds that the pricing change would allow the company to "continue to improve Premium and support the creators and artists you watch on YouTube".
Users in certain countries face a jump in YouTube Premium pricing, for instance, Australians will see about a 43% price increase for their family plans, rising from A$22.99 (RM70) to A$32.99 (RM100) each month.
The increase is significantly larger for those on grandfathered subscription plans, with the old Australian plan priced at A$17.99 (RM55), making the rise to A$32.99 an 83% leap.
Meanwhile in Germany, users saw the standard YouTube monthly subscription plan rise from €12 (RM60) to €13 (RM65).
The new rates have been in effect as of Nov 1, with existing users to see the new pricing reflected in their upcoming billing cycle.
Those on grandfathered plans however will be exempt from the rate change at its onset for at least three months as a reward to "long-standing and valued members".
It is currently uncertain if local users will face such an increase in YouTube Premium subscription fees. The platform had previously raised family plan pricing in Malaysia back in May of this year, going from RM26.90 to RM33.90.
At the time, no changes were made to the local Premium and Student monthly subscription offerings.
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