Survey says YouTube Premium users are worried about the platform's future perk plans

Late last month, YouTube announced that Premium subscribers will gain access to Peacock Premium content early next year, including the platform’s live sports and popular TV shows. The news was met with several skewed eyebrows from subscribers, especially given YouTube’s recent price increase. Does this give the company yet another reason to up the price of its Premium product in the future?

My colleague Adamya Sharma detailed her qualms, suggesting that many users want a more robust Premium experience rather than more content from outside sources. But what do readers think of YouTube’s strategy?

We ran a survey asking our readers what they would prefer: a YouTube Premium experience focused on more streaming platforms, or one more focused on its own product. The votes are in, and the prevailing view is clear.

A resounding 60% of the 1,500 voters want YouTube to focus on the “ad-free” experience and “lower the price if possible,” rather than inviting other streaming platforms to its fold. Given the recent increase in the Premium price to $15.99 monthly, that’s a valid view.

The comments leaned in much the same direction, with many readers worrying that more partnerships will eventually lead to further price hikes.

Reader Daniel Teel sums up their feelings:

Yay. Another forced partnership that will drive the price up.

Reader nickag1977 specifically takes aim at Peacock itself:

I want nothing to do with peacock at all especially if it raises the price of YouTube premium in the slightest.

Commenter Keith weighs in with a more nuanced take:

When did the word premium become synonymous with stuff we used to get for free? Ad supported is not “premium.” This isn’t a perk, it’s stuff that Peacock can’t get enough people to subscribe to and Google…well at least they’re actually doing SOMETHING to justify the next price increase.

Not everyone feels this doom and gloom, though.

Just under 20% of respondents want YouTube to push on with its partnership plans and “include more streaming services” on the platform in the future. While this share of the vote is certainly in the minority, I’d argue that 1 in 5 voters isn’t insignificant.

Interestingly, a further 14.7% doesn’t mind the direction YouTube is seemingly heading in, but would prefer that the company offers “both as separate subscription tiers.” This approach could prevent future price hikes for those who merely crave an ad-free, fully-featured YouTube experience.

Lastly, 5.2% of respondents are “happy with the current approach” of YouTube.

Where do you stand on YouTube courting tertiary streaming platforms? Let us know in the comments below.