YouTube Premium is getting more expensive in Europe. We know how much Czechs will pay extra

Many users of the YouTube Premium service were unpleasantly surprised today by an email announcing a price increase for the service. The first reports of price increases are coming not only from users in the Czech Republic but across Europe, including Slovakia. Compared to the original prices, users will pay 14 to 18% more, with owners of family plans feeling the price increase the most.

New YouTube Premium prices

The popular YouTube Premium service combines several useful features. A big draw is the ability to get rid of ads, but users also gain access to YouTube Music as a solid alternative to the popular Spotify. Other handy features include downloading videos for subsequent offline playback or the ability to play content even with the screen off.

And how much exactly will users pay extra for this service? Those who pay for a family membership will feel the increase the most. They will now pay an additional 70 Kč per month. Even so, this plan remains the most advantageous, as with a full occupancy of six members, you will pay 76.50 Kč per month for each. The price of the individual plan has increased by 30 Kč to 239 Kč/month, and students will pay an additional 20 Kč –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ thus, they will now pay 149 Kč per month.

The change for existing subscribers will be reflected in the October billing. Future users will see the new prices now, but they get the first month of the service for free, so the price increase essentially applies to them from October as well. Information about the price increase has already arrived in the private mailboxes of some editorial staff members, while others have not yet officially received this message and still see the original prices in their billing. However, it is most likely only a matter of hours, at most days, until Google notifies all YouTube Premium users (not only) in the Czech Republic.

Compensation for rising costs?

Google justifies this price increase by further service development and better support for content creators and artists. The internet giant’s operating costs for the service are simply rising, and so it has decided to compensate for them by increasing prices. However, in combination with increasingly aggressive advertising on YouTube, the question arises as to how many loyal users Google will push into the arms of ad blockers with this move, or compel them to purchase a premium membership using a VPN in countries where it is significantly cheaper.

Are the new YouTube Premium prices acceptable to you?