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YouTube Rolling Out Higher Bitrate for Paid Premium Subscribers on Android Devices

YouTube Rolling Out Higher Bitrate for Paid Premium Subscribers on Android Devices

David Satin
David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.
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David Satin
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Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.
Known for breaking major streaming stories, he’s covered everything from Netflix policy shifts to Peacock’s ad-tier changes. A sci-fi fan and Toshiba Fire TV user, he brings sharp analysis and a love for the genre to his reporting.

YouTube has been playing with the idea of keeping top video quality behind a paywall for a long time. In October, the company tested a pricing model that saw YouTube make 2160p (4K) video streaming available only to paid YouTube Premium subscribers.

Now, it appears that the video hosting platform is at it again, back with another test to see how users will respond to a higher video quality being behind a paywall. Reporting from 9to5 Google indicates that YouTube is trying out a higher bitrate version of 1080p streaming called 1080p Premium, which is only available for YouTube Premium customers. Android device owners such as Twitter user @sauravsaurav646 are noting the new high-bitrate option is now available to them.

Users first noticed the new option in February, but it was only available for users of iOS devices. YouTube announced in April that high-bitrate 1080p would also be coming to Android devices in the near future, and that future has now arrived.

YouTube audiences who have no interest in a Premium subscription don’t have to worry about losing the ability to watch videos in High Definition 1080p. The Premium version is a different tier with a step up in quality, offering better visual effects than normal-bitrate 1080p.

A subscription to YouTube Premium costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year. In addition to 1080p Premium, users of the service can watch YouTube videos ad-free, as well as download them to watch offline. It’s a good value for heavy YouTube users, which is one reason why YouTube should consider offering it for free to customers of its live TV streaming service YouTube TV.

YouTube does not release public user numbers often, but in November it revealed that it had 80 million subscribers combined on YouTube Premium and YouTube Music. It will be interesting to see if this new test of placing higher-quality video behind the Premium paywall will drive more customers to the service, especially since YouTube has already tried a similar scheme with an even higher-quality video resolution.

It was a matter of days before YouTube ended its October experiment of putting 4K video streaming behind a paywall, so it’s hard to know how long the new test of making 1080p Premium available for YouTube Premium users only will last. The 1080p Premium option is rolling out to Android-powered devices now.

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YouTube TV

YouTube TV is a live TV streaming service with more than 60 channels for $82.99/month. This plan includes local channels 32 of the top 35 cable channels, and regional sports networks (RSNs) in select markets. The base plan includes more than 100 live channels, including major broadcast networks like ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as popular cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, FX, USA Network, and TNT. Local channels are included in most markets, making YouTube TV a full replacement for traditional cable for many viewers.

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Sports are a major focus for YouTube TV, with access to national and regional coverage, league networks, and marquee events. The service also serves as the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket, available as an add-on, giving fans access to out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. YouTube TV also offers a smaller sports plan, allowing subscribers access to 30+ sports-oriented channels, including local networks in select markets.

YouTube TV includes unlimited cloud DVR storage at no extra cost, allowing subscribers to record as many shows as they want and keep recordings for up to nine months. The service is available across a wide range of devices, including smart TVs, streaming players, mobile devices, and web browsers. New subscribers can typically start with a free trial, though the trial length may vary by promotion.

With its broad channel lineup, strong sports offerings, unlimited DVR, and wide device support, YouTube TV remains one of the most comprehensive live TV streaming services for viewers who want a traditional TV experience without a cable contract.

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David Satin
David Satin has been a dedicated News Writer at The Streamable since 2022, covering a wide range of stories in the entertainment and streaming industries. With years of experience writing online, David previously worked as a list writer for Screen Rant, where he gained recognition for his extensive coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres. His ability to break and analyze major stories has made him a trusted voice in the streaming world. Over the course of his career, Satin has become an integral part of The Streamable team, contributing to some of the most impactful stories in the industry.
Read full bio ›
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