YouTube trials new Premium plan for couples and roommates, inspired by Spotify Duo’s success.

YouTube is currently experimenting with a new two-person Premium subscription plan in select countries, including India, France, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. This plan is primarily designed to cater to couples and roommates, allowing them to share the benefits of a single account while maintaining their individual viewing experiences. Over the past two years, YouTube has raised its subscription prices significantly, while also adding several Premium features.

However, many users find it challenging to justify the higher costs. To address the needs of value-conscious consumers, YouTube introduced the Premium Lite option in the US earlier this year. This alternative provides a nearly ad-free viewing experience at a lower price point.

Following a strategy similar to Spotify, YouTube is now piloting this two-member subscription plan. The two-member plan permits a primary account holder to share their Premium benefits with another individual over the age of 13. Each user can retain their separate Google accounts, which means they will have individual watch histories while still enjoying full access to features like Smart Downloads and offline playback.

In India, for instance, this plan is priced at Rs. 219 ($2.5) per month, which is less expensive than the Family tier that supports up to five users, currently priced at Rs. 299 ($3.5).

This two-member plan could greatly benefit couples and friends in price-sensitive markets like India, where they might otherwise have to opt for more expensive individual or family subscriptions. While the YouTube Premium Lite option would have been suitable for this demographic, it is limited to specific countries such as the United States and Australia. Spotify has successfully implemented a similar Duo subscription plan, offering individual Premium accounts at a lower combined cost.

However, it’s important to note that YouTube’s new two-member plan is still in the testing phase, and its public launch remains uncertain. If it is rolled out, the availability may still be limited and could take several months.