What is YouTube Premium?

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What is YouTube Premium?

YouTube Premium is the paid version of YouTube, originally launched as YouTube Red before rebranding in 2018. Including features such as ad-free viewing, the ability to download and watch videos offline, as well as giving subscribers access to exclusive content, YouTube Premium may be worth exploring if you already spend a lot of time on YouTube.

What’s the difference between YouTube and YouTube Premium?

There are a number of differences between YouTube and YouTube Premium, including ad-free viewing, offline viewing and with YouTube Premium also coming with a YouTube subscription (which cost $17.99 per month by the way). So for a monthly subscription, you’ll get uninterrupted streams for both your videos and music, as well as be able to watch your favourite YouTubers when you’re outside of wi-fi range or data, provided you’ve already downloaded the videos. Of course, the biggest difference is that you’re actually paying for it, with regular ol’ YouTube available for free.

How can I get YouTube Premium?

To sign up to YouTube Premium, go onto the YouTube website and sign up the Google account you’d like to have the YouTube membership on. From there, you can choose to sign up to YouTube Premium. Alternatively, you can simply search for ‘YouTube Premium’ where you can go straight to the YouTube Premium website, which has prompts available to sign up through.

How can I watch YouTube Premium?

To watch YouTube and YouTube Premium, all you need is a device and internet connection. Of course, if you’re looking to make the most of those YouTube Originals, you may like to stream it on your TV, which you can do via devices such as Google Chromecast and through pre-installed apps on modern smart TVs. Of course, if you’re just sticking to the small screen, simply load up the YouTube app, log in and you’re good to go.

How much data does YouTube Premium use?

While you can download videos from YouTube Premium before you step out the door and away from wi-fi, if you forgot, an hour long 720p video is estimated at using 0.22GB, whereas an hour-long video at 1080p quality can use between 1.2GB – 2GB. Downloading your videos beforehand can save you plenty of data down the line, and potentially save you on your phone bill.

How much does YouTube Premium cost?

YouTube Premium costs $17.99 per month, with a one-month free trial. YouTube Premium is on a recurring bill cycle, with the ability to cancel at any time, although you’ll have to pay out the rest of the month if you cancel halfway through. YouTube Premium also offers Student and Family plans, which are explored below:

• Student plan: $10.49 per month with a one-month free trial. Verification is required to qualify for the Student plan, with full-time students at select higher education facilities qualifying for the discount.
• Family plan: $29.99 per month with a one-month free trial. You can add up to 5 family members (aged 13+) per household, although all must have a Google account to be added.

Only first-time users are eligible for the free trial months, with YouTube also outlining a number of other terms and conditions on its website.

How does YouTube Premium compare to other streaming services?

With plenty of streaming services available in New Zealand, how does YouTube Premium shape against the household names of Netflix and Disney+? Check out the table below for a quick comparison.

While YouTube Premium may fall behind some of the bigger streaming services in terms of blockbuster movies YouTube Premium does also come with a YouTube Music subscription, meaning you can be saving yourself some money by signing up to YouTube Premium (provided you actually use Google Music).

Is YouTube Premium worth it?

There’s no shortage of videos and entertainment to be found on YouTube, but is paying for YouTube Premium worth it when you can already enjoy hours of cat videos for free? Ultimately it will come down to what you want out of your YouTube binges, as YouTube Premium does offer more material for you to binge – as well as giving you ad-free binge sessions – meaning you can truly zone out on the couch.

And with an additional music streaming service packaged into the bill, YouTube Premium has plenty of benefits to reel you in, as long as you don’t mind signing up to another streaming service that is.

About the reviewer of this page

This report was reviewed by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose passion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.