Google is testing a new version of YouTube Premium Lite in Australia, Germany, and Thailand, reviving the scaled-back subscription tier that was initially tested in 2021.

The new Premium Lite offering differs from its predecessor by showing "limited ads" instead of removing them entirely. Unlike the full Premium subscription, it doesn't include YouTube Music access, offline downloads, or background play capabilities.

Pricing varies by region, with Australian users reporting offers between AUD 8.99 and AUD 11.99 per month (compared to AUD 22.99 for full Premium). Google appears to be testing different price points to determine optimal user acceptance.

Key Points:

• Currently testing in select countries (Australia, Germany, Thailand)
• Shows limited ads instead of completely removing them
• Excludes additional Premium features
• Pricing approximately half of full Premium subscription
• No confirmation of US launch plans

This revival comes amid broader streaming industry trends, where ad-supported tiers are increasingly popular. Current data shows high adoption rates for ad-supported plans across major streaming platforms:

• Peacock: 84% of subscribers
• Hulu: 65% of subscribers
• Disney+: 40% of subscribers

Google has yet to confirm whether this Premium Lite option will expand to additional markets or become a permanent offering.

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