YouTube is bringing its “enhanced bitrate” version of 1080p HD video quality to YouTube Premium subscribers with Android and TVs. The Google-owned video-sharing app launched the feature designed to provide “crisper, clearer details” on iOS earlier this year.
YouTube said 1080p Premium is exclusive to its paid-tier and is enabled automatically based on your connection and viewing settings. You can still adjust your video quality in settings. It’s also worth noting that 1080 Premium isn’t available for livestreams, Shorts, or videos uploaded at resolutions higher or lower than 1080p.
The enhanced bitrate is one of the latest features YouTube is bringing to its paid ad-free subscription plan. With Premium subscription, viewers get access to experimental features. For example, YouTube is working on its artificial intelligence offerings and Premium users can try out conversational AI and comment topics summarized by AI.
Paid members also get access to a Premium benefits page where they can sign up for special promotions and free trials to services like Calm and Walmart+. The benefits page also includes badges to track your “milestones” on Premium.
Users can now “pick up” their YouTube session where they left off on more devices like smart TVs and tablets.
YouTube has made a number of changes to its app over the last year as part of a larger planned redesign. In addition, the platform has been doubling down to stop its viewers from using ad-blockers to protect the service’s ad-generated revenue and drive users to its Premium plan.
So far, despite user dissatisfaction, YouTube’s campaign seems to be working — the YouTube Premium cracked Parks Associates’ top 10 U.S. subscription video streaming services list, and reports indicate that ad-blockers are being uninstalled in droves. In addition, Google posted third-quarter ad-revenue from YouTube of $7.95 billion, compared with $7.07 billion a year earlier.
YouTube Premium costs $13.99 a month — or $139.99 annually — for individuals, $22.99 a month for families, and $7.99 a month after a one-month free trial for students
Image credit: YouTube