YouTube adds downloads and background play to $7.99 Premium Lite
YouTube is expanding its more affordable Premium Lite tier by adding video downloads for offline viewing and background play. These features were previously limited to the full Premium plan, which costs $13.99 per month. The Lite plan remains priced at $7.99 per month.
New features were added after pilot users requested downloads and background play to make the cheaper tier more compelling.
What the Premium Lite changes include
- Download videos for offline access — Save videos to watch later without an internet connection, useful for commuting or travel.
- Background play — Continue audio when the screen is off or when using other apps, a feature popular with multitaskers and gamers who follow gaming news while playing.
Previously, these conveniences were part of YouTube's full Premium package. Lite still removes ads from most videos across verticals like gaming, fashion, beauty, cooking and news, but it excludes ad-free music content and the YouTube Music app.
When to choose Full Premium vs. Premium Lite
With the new additions, the main reason to upgrade to the full Premium plan is now access to ad-free music and the standalone YouTube Music app. Choose Premium Lite if you want:
- Ad-free viewing on most non-music videos.
- Offline downloads and background play at a lower price.
Choose Full Premium if you primarily want ad-free music, official background listening within YouTube Music, and other bundled benefits.
Availability and rollout
Premium Lite launched in March and first appeared in Thailand, Germany, and Australia. The tier arrived in the U.S. last year and has since expanded to Canada, Brazil, the U.K., India, Mexico and other parts of Europe and Asia.
Business impact and subscriber growth
YouTube's subscription business has been growing steadily. Combined with ad revenue, YouTube generated $60 billion in 2025, according to parent company Alphabet's Q4 report. In Q4 alone, YouTube ad revenue rose 9% to $11.38 billion, while the "subscriptions, platforms and devices" segment grew 17% to $13.6 billion, driven in part by YouTube Music and YouTube Premium subscriptions.
Alphabet also reported more than 125 million YouTube Music and YouTube Premium users worldwide as of March 2025. The company later said it has more than 325 million paid subscriptions across consumer services, including Google One and other offerings.
Why these changes matter
Adding downloads and background play to the Lite tier makes the lower-cost option more competitive. It appeals to users who want convenience—like offline viewing on commutes or background listening while following gaming news—without paying for music features they don't use.
Contact and reporting
This report was written by Sarah Perez, a TechCrunch reporter since 2011. You can contact or verify outreach at [email protected] or via Signal at sarahperez.01.
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