Google Launches YouTube Premium Lite in South Korea Amid FTC Probe

Google is launching YouTube Premium Lite in South Korea to address a probe by the Fair Trade Commission. The service is a cheaper version of YouTube Premium, which was launched in June 2021. The move aims to comply with the FTC's request to reduce the service's price. The launch is a response to the FTC's investigation into the service's pricing practices.

Google is set to introduce YouTube Premium Lite in South Korea as part of a voluntary corrective measure to address a probe by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC). The new service, which will be launched in the coming months, is a cheaper alternative to the existing YouTube Premium subscription, which bundles both video and music streaming features. The move aims to comply with the FTC's request to reduce the service's price and address concerns over bundling practices.

YouTube Premium Lite will be priced at 8,500 won ($6) per month for Android and web users, and 10,900 won for iOS users. This pricing structure is significantly lower than the existing YouTube Premium subscription, which costs 14,900 won ($11) for Android and web, and 19,500 won ($14) for iOS users [2]. The lower price is intended to make the service more accessible to a broader range of consumers.

The launch of YouTube Premium Lite is part of a broader agreement between Google and the FTC. The agreement includes a pledge to keep the price of Premium Lite unchanged for at least a year after launch and maintain the price ratio between Premium and Premium Lite at one of the lowest levels globally for four years. Additionally, Google has committed to investing a total of 15 billion won ($11.5 million) in Korea's music industry, including efforts to discover and promote emerging artists and help them expand internationally [2].

The FTC expects that up to 2.1 million domestic consumers will be able to benefit from these two programs. The consent decree not only includes consumer protection but also coexistence with the domestic content ecosystem. Google's investment in the music industry is expected to support the growth of domestic artists and help them compete on the global stage [1].

The launch of YouTube Premium Lite is a significant development in the ongoing investigation into YouTube's pricing practices. The FTC has praised the consent decree system as an effective way to address competitive issues and protect consumer rights. The voluntary corrective measure is expected to be finalized by the end of the year, with YouTube Premium Lite launching within 90 days of approval [1].

In conclusion, Google's introduction of YouTube Premium Lite in South Korea is a strategic move aimed at addressing the FTC's concerns over bundling practices and reducing the service's price. The lower price point and additional investment in the music industry are expected to have a positive impact on consumer choice and the growth of the domestic content ecosystem.

References:

[1] https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=247131
[2] https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-07-15/business/industry/YouTube-proposes-Premium-Lite-plan-severing-music-service-over-FTC-bundling-probe/2353240