YouTube rolls out cheaper subscription tier to U.S. with no ads, except for music
San Francisco: Alphabet's YouTube recently unveiled a new monthly subscription plan priced at $7.99 that offers an ad-free experience for most videos, except for music content.
The "Premium Lite" plan is specifically designed for customers who rarely watch music videos or listen to music, as reported by Reuters. While YouTube has a significant presence in the streaming music industry, many users primarily watch non-music videos and may find this new option more appealing.
YouTube's existing $13.99 Premium plan has no ads, including for music content. Additionally, there is a separate $10.99 plan that offers ad-free music videos and other videos with ads, essentially the reverse of the new plan.
The introduction of the "Premium Lite" plan provides an option for those who don’t use YouTube for music, addressing a gap that has been apparent for some time, particularly among U.S. users who already subscribe to other music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, added the news agency.
"We didn't feel that we really got it matching the tier for users that don't need the music content, and so that's where this revision comes in," Jack Greenberg, the product director for YouTube Premium, was quoted as saying by Reuters.
Meanwhile, YouTube announced on Wednesday that it has surpassed 125 million paying subscribers, up from 100 million in January 2024. However, this number includes users who have signed up for temporary free trials as well.
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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
