Dear Google, Remove YouTube Music from YouTube Premium and Count Me In

How Much Does YouTube Premium Actually Cost?

YouTube, the leading streaming platform globally, offers an extensive range of content that can be accessed free of charge with a $14 Premium subscription. Moreover, the subscription also entitles users to complimentary access to YouTube Music Premium, which is otherwise priced at $11. However, it is worth considering whether this inclusion truly makes YouTube Premium a more enticing option.

When combining both services, YouTube Premium offers two streaming services for the price of one. It may seem like a great deal, but I beg to differ. I believe YouTube does not view it the same way either. Comparing it to other streaming platforms, the $14 cost of YouTube Premium is in line with the competition. For instance, Netflix's basic ad-free plan is priced at $15.49. Similarly, YouTube Music Premium and Spotify Premium share the same $11 monthly fee. However, the situation takes an odd turn when you bundle both services together.

Even when it was known as "YouTube Red," YouTube Premium has consistently offered ad-free access to Google's music service. YouTube Music, on the other hand, has always been available as a separate subscription. Therefore, the underlying message has remained unchanged: If you are willing to pay for YouTube Music Premium, it would be a wise decision to spend a little extra and get YouTube Premium as well.

Google Needs YouTube Music Subscribers

YouTube Premium is often perceived to be priced at only $3 based on this line of reasoning. However, my belief is that this assumption is not accurate. YouTube as a video streaming platform is substantially more popular than YouTube Music. There is undoubtedly a clear strategy at play by Google in this regard.

Google has never offered the option to reverse the scenario mentioned earlier. Subscribing to YouTube Premium or paying a little extra to include YouTube Music Premium is not possible. This is because Google understands that no one would choose to do so. The main attraction is ad-free YouTube, not YouTube Music.

It is quite clear that the number of YouTube Music Premium subscribers would drastically decrease if people could obtain YouTube Premium at a lower cost without it. Currently, YouTube Music only holds approximately 10% of the streaming music market share. How much worse would it be if Google was not boosting it through YouTube Premium?

The point is YouTube Music needs YouTube Premium, but the opposite is not true. That's what has kept me away from YouTube Premium for so long.

I Don't Want Two Music Services

While I must confess that I am not particularly enamored with Spotify as a company, I must also acknowledge that it undeniably offers the most appealing features for my personal music preferences. As a contented long-term subscriber to Spotify Premium, I have no intentions of severing ties in the foreseeable future. Although I have made several attempts to acquaint myself with YouTube Music, it simply fails to resonate with me. Consequently, why should I expend funds on a service that holds no appeal to me?

Google may present the inclusion of YouTube Music Premium with YouTube Premium as a valuable addition, but it loses its appeal if one has no intention of using it. Personally, I find myself using YouTube more than any other streaming service, yet for those who prefer alternative music streaming platforms, it feels like a waste to pay $14 for something undesirable.

It should be noted that while I don't believe YouTube Premium should only cost $3, I would readily subscribe if there were a more affordable plan that excluded YouTube Music. Unfortunately, I doubt such an option will ever be available. It seems that the actual value of YouTube Premium alone is $14, and by charging $11 for YouTube Music Premium, Google is compelled to bundle them together. If YouTube Music were to be separated and the price reduced, it would likely become unsustainable for Google.

I dislike paying for unused services, regardless of the financial and logistical aspects. The current messy situation with Google reinforces this sentiment. My sole desire is to have access to YouTube without advertisements. I appreciate the music feature, Google.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate music fan, I have mixed feelings about the inclusion of YouTube Music in YouTube Premium. On the one hand, it's convenient to have access to both services with a single subscription. On the other hand, I feel like I'm paying for something I don't use.

I'm not a big fan of YouTube Music's interface or its music selection. I prefer Spotify's more user-friendly interface and its wider range of music. I also find that YouTube Music's recommendations are often not relevant to my tastes.

I would much rather see Google offer a discounted YouTube Premium subscription that doesn't include YouTube Music. This would allow users to choose whether or not they want to pay for the music service. I believe that this would be a more fair and transparent pricing model.

I understand that Google is trying to compete with other streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. However, I don't think that bundling YouTube Music with YouTube Premium is the best way to do this. I believe that Google would be better off focusing on improving YouTube Music's interface and music selection. This would make it a more attractive option for users who are looking for a standalone music streaming service.