Google has announced that it has launched its paid subscription services, YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium, in 10 more countries, bringing the total number of markets where they are available to 110.
The 10 new countries are Algeria, Cambodia, Georgia, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Tunisia, and Senegal. The launch was reported by 9To5Google, a website that covers Google news and products.
The launch follows Google’s initial rollout of YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium in Australia and New Zealand in 2018 and its subsequent expansion to many regions around the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
Read also: Kenya gets YouTube Music Premium
What are YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium?
YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium are two paid subscription services that offer enhanced features and benefits for YouTube users.
YouTube Premium is a service that allows users to watch videos on YouTube without any advertisements, and also provides additional features such as background play, offline watching, and access to YouTube Originals, which are exclusive shows and movies produced by YouTube.
YouTube Music Premium is a service that allows users to listen to songs on YouTube Music without any advertisements, and also provides additional features such as background play, offline listening, and access to millions of songs and playlists.
YouTube Premium comes bundled with YouTube Music Premium, so users who subscribe to YouTube Premium can enjoy both services. YouTube Premium costs $13.99 per month in the US, and varies depending on the market. Users who only want to subscribe to YouTube Music Premium can do so for $10.99 per month in the US, and varies depending on the market.
Why are YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium important?
YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium are important for both Google and YouTube users, as they offer value and convenience for both parties.
For Google, YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium are sources of revenue and growth, as they diversify Google’s income stream from advertising and attract more users to its platforms. They also help Google compete with other streaming services, such as Netflix, Spotify, and Apple Music, which offer similar features and benefits.
For YouTube users, YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium are options that enhance their experience and satisfaction, as they eliminate the interruptions and limitations of advertisements and offer more features and content. They also help YouTube users support their favorite creators and artists, as Google shares a portion of the subscription fees with them.
What are some exclusive shows and movies on YouTube Originals?
YouTube Originals are shows and movies that are produced by YouTube and are available only to YouTube Premium subscribers. Some of the exclusive shows and movies on YouTube Originals are:
Cobra Kai: an action comedy series that continues the story of The Karate Kid movies, with the original actors reprising their roles.
Impulse: a science fiction drama series that follows a teenage girl who discovers she can teleport when she is in danger.
Wayne: an action comedy series that centers on a rebellious teen who goes on a road trip with his crush to recover his father’s stolen car.
Weird City: a comedy science fiction anthology series that explores the lives of people in a futuristic city divided by a line between the rich and the poor.
Origin: a science fiction thriller series that revolves around a group of strangers who wake up on a spaceship heading to a distant planet.
Liza on Demand: a comedy series that stars YouTube personality Liza Koshy as a young woman who tries to make a living by doing various odd jobs online.
Step Up: High Water: a dance drama series that is based on the Step Up film franchise, and follows the students and teachers of a performing arts school in Atlanta.
Best Shot: a basketball documentary series that features NBA star LeBron James as an executive producer, and chronicles the journey of a high school team in Newark, New Jersey.
Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television: a comedy series that parodies crime shows, and stars Ryan Hansen as a fictional version of himself who teams up with a detective to solve crimes.
A Trip to Unicorn Island: a documentary film that follows YouTube star Lilly Singh as she embarks on a global tour to spread happiness and positivity.
The Thinning: a dystopian thriller film that depicts a world where population control is enforced through a high-stakes test in school.