GoKawiilJoe Maring / Android Authority
I was one of those people who was forced to sign up for YouTube Premium for one simple reason: I wanted YouTube without ads. YouTube’s crackdown on ad blockers kicked things off for me, but the ever-increasing number and length of ads the platform started throwing at me was the final nail in the coffin of my free YouTube experience. I gave in and became a YouTube Premium subscriber, thinking I’d finally escaped the tyranny of YouTube ads once and for all and that I was good to go.
For a while, it felt like money well spent. Background playback is nice, downloads come in handy on flights, and YouTube Music is a decent bonus. But if I’m being honest, I’d have happily paid for YouTube Premium even if none of those features existed. Getting rid of ads was always the only reason I subscribed.
That’s why Google’s latest announcement that YouTube Premium subscribers will have access to Peacock content left me with mixed feelings.
Would you rather YouTube Premium include more streaming perks or stay focused on YouTube? 118 votes Keep it focused on ad-free YouTube (and lower the price if possible) 64 % Include more streaming services like Peacock 14 % Offer both as separate subscription tiers 16 % I'm happy with the current approach 5 %
On paper, it’s a great addition. Peacock Premium normally costs $10.99 a month and gives subscribers access to live sports, NBC shows, Universal movies, and more. For anyone who was already paying for Peacock, this is genuine added value.
What concerns me, however, is what this partnership could mean for YouTube Premium over the next few years.
YouTube is steadily becoming an entertainment hub
YouTube
Let’s step back and see the bigger picture here — The Peacock announcement isn’t happening in isolation.
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