YouTube Premium subscribers in Singapore are the latest to face a significant increase in subscription fees, with some plans seeing price hikes as high as 56%. The platform's decision follows similar moves in other countries, raising questions about the ongoing trend of increasing subscription costs across streaming platforms.
Why the Price Hike?
In a notice sent to subscribers on September 21, YouTube explained that the price increases were necessary to “continue delivering great service and features.” The company emphasized that the adjustment would allow them to improve YouTube Premium services and further support the creators and artists that users watch on the platform.
However, for subscribers in Singapore, this hike may feel like a blow, especially as it follows a broader trend of price increases in the streaming industry, with platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Spotify also raising their subscription fees in recent years.
New Pricing Structure
For YouTube Premium in Singapore, the most notable increase is seen in the family plan. The family subscription, which allows up to five accounts to access the service simultaneously, now costs $27.98 per month. This marks a nearly 56% increase from the original price of $17.98 when YouTube Premium first launched in Singapore in 2019.
Individual subscriptions also saw a rise, now priced at $13.98 per month, up from $11.98 in 2019. For users who subscribe through Apple's iOS App Store, the price hike is even steeper. Individual subscriptions for iOS users are now $17.98 per month, while family plans have surged to $36.98, an increase of nearly 61% from the original fees.
For YouTube Music Premium, individual subscriptions have risen by $1 to $10.98, while family plan subscriptions now cost $17.98, up by $3. iOS users, on the other hand, will pay $12.98 for individual subscriptions and $19.98 for family subscriptions.
Impact on Users
The price hikes have sparked dissatisfaction among some subscribers. Discussions on Reddit’s r/singapore community reveal that many users are contemplating canceling their subscriptions, expressing frustration over the continual rise in costs.
However, not all users are planning to cancel. Graphic designer Leon Lee, a 33-year-old YouTube Premium subscriber, acknowledged that price increases for streaming services have become a norm. "The rise in subscription fees for streaming services is something we probably have to live with," he said. Despite the increase, he stated that he would continue his subscription, especially since he uses the platform daily.
For others, the rising prices are becoming a strain. Zane Chan, a 30-year-old child development case worker, expressed that the ongoing hikes in services like YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, and Disney+ are pushing him to consider other alternatives. "It’s getting really hard to afford multiple subscriptions, and I might have to explore other alternatives," he shared.
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