YouTube Ends Limited Test That Locked 4K Video Behind Premium Paywall

[MacRumors]

YouTube has brought to an end a limited test that locked 4K videos behind its Premium subscription, according to one of its official Twitter accounts (via 9to5Google).

YouTube has supported 4K videos since 2010, and they have since been freely available to be viewed by anyone. At least, that was until earlier this month, when some users reported seeing a "Premium" label against 2160p/4K content, indicating only paying YouTube subscribers were able to view 4K content on the platform.

Currently, a standard YouTube Premium plan costs $11.99 in the United States and includes ad-free videos, background playback, and the ability to download videos for offline viewing. YouTube's experiment suggested it was actively considering 4K viewing as an added perk.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1581867363732836352

According to multiple tweets from the official TeamYouTube Twitter account, that experiment has now come to an end. YouTube representatives gave no reason for the change, but it's possible the negative online backlash to the test hastened its discontinuation.

Article Link: YouTube Ends Limited Test That Locked 4K Video Behind Premium Paywall

 

[-DMN-]

For now…

 

[SoldOnApple]

Could be because any other tube service would have an advantage if they offered 4k for free. Or even worse, offer 8k streaming for free just for the bragging rights.

 

[krspkbl]

good and you better keep it that way Google. i have YT Premium but this would be a stupid move.

 

[Eldaerenth Faexidor]

Stupid experiment. Bad Google.

 

[PsykX]

$12 a month for YouTube would be theft even if it were in Canadian Dollars. 99% of the content is free anyway. And didn't it start at like $5-6 a month ?

 

[HappyDude20]

Remember everyone they only decided to stop this from becoming a premium service offering because they got caught and called out for it.

 

[Radeon85]

Charging for something that’s been free for 12 years would have been absolutely insane.

 

[SnappleRumors]

$12 a month for YouTube would be theft even if it were in Canadian Dollars. 99% of the content is free anyway. And didn't it start at like $5-6 a month ?

$12 is worth it to me to skip the commercials.

 

[Frixos]

$12 a month for YouTube would be theft even if it were in Canadian Dollars. 99% of the content is free anyway. And didn't it start at like $5-6 a month ?

Right! $12 is ridiculous.

 

[return2sendai]

Get your science from YouTube Premium! (Or from scientists.)

 

[shanson27]

good and you better keep it that way Google. i have YT Premium but this would be a stupid move.

Stupid people doing stupid things

 

[Bustycat]

$12 a month for YouTube would be theft even if it were in Canadian Dollars. 99% of the content is free anyway. And didn't it start at like $5-6 a month ?

It is about $0.8 (personal) or $1.2 (family) a month in 🇦🇷.

 

[shenfrey]

Could be because any other tube service would have an advantage if they offered 4k for free. Or even worse, offer 8k streaming for free just for the bragging rights.

What other tube services?

 

[Skyscraperfan]

Even without a subscription YouTube can be ad free if you use an ad blocker. With ads YouTube is pretty unusable. The only thing that is harder to block are ads mentioned by creators in the videos. Those are really annoying. If those people want to earn money, they should find a real job instead of annoying people with ads.

 

[Abazigal]

$12 a month for YouTube would be theft even if it were in Canadian Dollars. 99% of the content is free anyway. And didn't it start at like $5-6 a month ?

For me, well worth not having to deal with ads on the big screen. Just sucks that I can’t share it with my corporate google account, because ads are annoying, all the more when I am trying to play some video for my students.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy52]

Charging for something that’s been free for 12 years would have been absolutely insane.

They try to justify it by bundling YouTube Music. Which is… okay, I guess (I’m not a fan of it). I think a simple $5/month plan for just ad-free YouTube would be more popular.

 

[Scipster]

Ugh it's companies trying to monetize what once used to be free that makes me wish Apple expanded its service offering (think of the ad revenue, Apple!) If only MeTube were a thing!

 

[aleksander]

While ads are annoying, I'd never pay $$ to Google for anything but ultimately it's their platform.

 

[winxmac]

I'm okay with 1080p and it does not matter to me that much whether 4k is on free or on premium... Am I happy to be on YT Premium? It's a mixed bag since YT Music is included for free and there are no ad interruptions [except the sponsorship with some YT video creators]... I hate to pay for subscription but at the same time I hate ad interruptions...

Once upon a time, only phone service, electricity, water, and internet connection service are the only subscriptions... Now, almost all software and service can no longer be used without a subscription...

 

[WarmWinterHat]

$12 is worth it to me to skip the commercials.

Only if you watch a lot of YouTube. I probably spend less than an hour a month on there.

What on earth does YouTube have that is worth $12.99/month?

 

[OriginalAppleGuy]

Good - because the commercials they interject in videos makes it unbearable to watch content. I'm not paying a sub for YouTube. I have enough subs.

 

[zoozx]

The amount of advertising on YouTube has gotten ridiculous.
Greed is a trait we need to eliminate as a species.
We are nothing more than a virus.

 

[ELman]

I got in years ago at 9.99 a month and they haven't changed the price. It also includes You Tube music. In some ways it is better than Apple Music.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Wow that was fast. If only they listened to all legitimate criticism so quickly.