In today’s world, online streaming has become an integral part of our daily routine. With a plethora of content available at our fingertips, platforms like YouTube have revolutionized the way we consume media. From music videos to tutorials, vlogs to documentaries, YouTube has it all. And with the increasing demand for quality content, YouTube has constantly been evolving to cater to the needs of its users.

Recently, YouTube announced the launch of five new features exclusively for its premium subscribers. This move is set to enhance the viewing experience for consumers while providing more benefits to those who choose to pay for the platform. In this article, we will take a deep dive into these new features and explore how they can elevate your YouTube experience.

1. Ad-Free Viewing

Advertisements have become an unavoidable aspect of consuming digital content. Whether it’s before a video, in the middle of one, or even as pop-ups, ads can be quite disruptive and annoying. However, with YouTube Premium, you can bid adieu to these pesky interruptions. Yes, you read that right – no more ads!

Why Ads are a Necessary Evil

While ads may seem like an unnecessary hindrance, they play a crucial role in keeping the platform running. Advertisements are the primary source of revenue for YouTube, and they help fund the creators who generate the content we love to watch. Moreover, without ads, YouTube would not be able to provide free access to its massive library of videos.

The Perks of Ad-Free Viewing

So, why would anyone want to pay for something that they can access for free? Well, the answer is simple – convenience and uninterrupted viewing. With no advertisements, you can watch your favorite videos without any disruptions. This is especially helpful while watching longer videos, where ads tend to break the flow and disrupt the viewing experience.

Moreover, with no ads, you can also save time. Ads can add up over time and watching multiple videos in a row can quickly become frustrating with the constant interruptions. YouTube Premium allows you to skip these ads and save valuable time.

How to Get Ad-Free Viewing

To enjoy ad-free viewing, all you need to do is subscribe to YouTube Premium. The subscription costs $11.99 per month and also comes with several other benefits, which we will discuss later in this article. You can access YouTube Premium through the YouTube app or website.

If you already have a Google Play Music or YouTube Music subscription, you automatically have access to YouTube Premium. And if you are unsure whether you want to commit to a monthly subscription, you can opt for a one-month free trial to test out the features before making a decision.

2. Background Playback

Ever wanted to listen to music on YouTube while multitasking on your phone? Or maybe you wanted to watch a video while working on something else on your computer? With background playback, now you can! This feature allows you to play videos in the background while using other apps or browsing the web.

How it Works

Background playback is available for both desktop and mobile devices. On desktop, you can simply open a video in a new tab and continue using your computer as usual. The audio from the video will keep playing in the background, allowing you to listen to your favorite music or podcast while working.

On mobile, background playback works similarly. You can start playing a video and then switch to another app while the audio continues to play in the background. This feature is especially useful for those who use YouTube for music streaming or listening to podcasts.

Benefits of Background Playback

Background playback adds an element of convenience to consuming media on YouTube. It allows you to multitask without having to pause or stop the video. This is particularly helpful for students or professionals who often need to listen to lectures or tutorials while working on other tasks.

Moreover, background playback also helps save your phone’s battery life. Instead of keeping the YouTube app open and draining your battery, you can play videos in the background and use other apps without worrying about the impact on your device’s battery.

How to Access Background Playback

Background playback is available to all YouTube Premium subscribers. Simply start playing a video and switch to another app or open a new tab on your desktop, and the audio will continue playing in the background. If you don’t have a subscription, you can opt for a free trial or sign up for YouTube Premium to access this feature.

3. Offline Viewing

Have you ever experienced slow internet connection or been in a place with no Wi-Fi, but still wanted to watch your favorite YouTube videos? Well, with offline viewing, now you can! This feature allows you to download videos onto your device and watch them later, even without an internet connection.

How to Download Videos

To download a video for offline viewing, simply click on the download button under the video, choose the desired quality, and the video will start downloading. You can access your downloaded videos by clicking on the “Library” tab and selecting “Downloads.”

Benefits of Offline Viewing

Offline viewing provides flexibility and convenience to users. It is especially useful for those who travel frequently or have limited access to the internet. With offline viewing, you can download your favorite videos and watch them at your leisure, without worrying about internet connectivity.

Moreover, this feature also helps save data usage. Instead of streaming videos, which consumes data, you can download them and watch them offline, ultimately reducing your monthly data consumption.

Limitations of Offline Viewing

While offline viewing is undoubtedly a great feature, there are some limitations to keep in mind. Firstly, not all videos are available for offline viewing. Creators have the option to allow or disable downloads for their videos, so you may not be able to download all the content you want.

Additionally, downloaded videos are only available for a limited time. This means that after a certain period, these videos will expire and cannot be played offline anymore. The duration of availability varies based on the video’s length and the creator’s preference.

Subscriptions and Offline Viewing

Offline viewing is only available to YouTube Premium subscribers. If you have a subscription, you can download an unlimited number of videos, as long as they are available for offline viewing. However, if your subscription expires, your downloaded videos will also expire, and you will need to renew your subscription to access them again.

4. Original Content

Apart from user-generated content, YouTube has also been investing in creating original content through its premium platform. With YouTube Originals, the platform offers exclusive shows, movies, and documentaries that subscribers can access.

What to Expect from YouTube Originals

YouTube Originals cover a wide range of genres and cater to various audiences. From comedy to drama, action to romance, there is something for everyone. These shows feature popular YouTubers as well as Hollywood celebrities, making it a unique blend of content.

Some notable YouTube Originals include “Cobra Kai,” a spin-off series of the “Karate Kid” franchise, and “Escape the Night,” a murder-mystery reality show hosted by YouTuber Joey Graceffa.

Benefits of YouTube Originals

The creation of original content adds value to the YouTube Premium subscription. It gives subscribers access to exclusive shows and movies that are not available anywhere else. Moreover, many of these shows have garnered critical acclaim and have become fan favorites, making them worth the subscription fee.

Additionally, with the rise in popularity of YouTube, the platform has attracted some big names to create original content, adding more diversity to the type of shows and movies available.

How to Watch YouTube Originals

To watch YouTube Originals, all you need is a YouTube Premium subscription. You can access these shows and movies through the YouTube app or website. If you are already a subscriber, you can simply search for “YouTube Originals” and start watching. And if you don’t have a subscription, you can opt for a free trial or sign up for a monthly subscription.

5. YouTube Kids

With the rise in popularity of digital media, children are also joining the online world at a young age. To cater to this audience, YouTube has launched a separate platform – YouTube Kids. This version of YouTube offers content specifically curated for children, ensuring a safe viewing experience.

What Makes YouTube Kids Different?

YouTube Kids has stricter content guidelines, ensuring that only age-appropriate videos are available on the platform. Moreover, it has a feature called “Approved Content Only,” which allows parents to handpick the channels and videos their child can access. This helps keep children away from potentially harmful or inappropriate content.

Additionally, YouTube Kids also has a timer feature that allows parents to set a time limit for their child’s screen time. Once the timer runs out, the app automatically closes, encouraging children to take breaks from screen time.

How to Access YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids is available as a separate app for Android and iOS devices. It can also be accessed on desktop through the YouTube Kids website. The app is free to download, but some features may require a subscription, such as Approved Content Only and the timer feature.

Is YouTube Kids Worth It?

While YouTube Kids offers a safer alternative for children to consume media, it is ultimately up to the parents to decide whether it is worth it. Some parents may prefer to monitor their child’s viewing themselves, while others may find the extra features provided by YouTube Kids helpful in regulating their child’s screen time and content consumption.

6. YouTube Music Premium

Apart from providing a platform to watch videos, YouTube is also known for its vast library of music. And with YouTube Music Premium, subscribers can access ad-free, uninterrupted music streaming along with all the other benefits of the premium subscription.

How it Works

YouTube Music Premium allows you to stream music on your device without being interrupted by ads. You can also download songs and create playlists to listen to offline. The app offers personalized recommendations based on your listening history and preferences, making it easier to discover new music.

Moreover, YouTube Music Premium also includes access to YouTube Originals music shows and live performances, adding more value to the subscription.

Availability and Cost

YouTube Music Premium is available as a standalone subscription or as part of the YouTube Premium package. The standalone subscription costs $9.99 per month, while the combined subscription, which includes all the features of YouTube Premium, costs $11.99 per month.

If you are an existing Google Play Music subscriber, you automatically have access to YouTube Music Premium. However, if you are not already subscribed to the service, you can opt for a free trial or sign up for a monthly subscription.

Conclusion: Is YouTube Premium Worth It?

With five new features added to its premium subscription, YouTube has certainly upped its game in terms of offering a better viewing experience. From ad-free viewing to exclusive content, these features cater to the needs of diverse audiences and add value to the subscription.

While the monthly cost of $11.99 may seem steep for some, considering the benefits offered, it may be worth it for those who consume a significant amount of media on the platform. Moreover, with a one-month free trial available, you can test out the features and make an informed decision.

Ultimately, it boils down to personal preference and usage. If you find yourself constantly annoyed by ads, enjoy background playback, or tend to watch videos offline, YouTube Premium may be worth considering. And for those who are fans of YouTube Originals or prefer to have a safer viewing experience for their children, the added features make the subscription even more attractive.

So, if you are a avid YouTube user and want to enhance your viewing experience, it may be time to give YouTube Premium a try. With its growing library of content and constant updates and improvements, it’s safe to say that YouTube is on its way to becoming a one-stop-shop for all our digital media needs.