Google will launch a cheaper version of YouTube Premium without music streaming in South Korea. The move follows an antitrust probe by the Fair Trade Commission and aims to enhance consumer choice. The new service will coexist with existing subscriptions.
South Korea's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) announced on November 27, 2025, that it has accepted Google's voluntary corrective measures following months of investigation into suspicions that bundling YouTube Music with YouTube Premium violated fair trade rules.
Under this decision, Google will introduce 'YouTube Premium Lite,' a video-only subscription offering ad removal, background playback, and offline viewing. It excludes music streaming and is priced at 8,500 won ($5.80) per month for Android and web users, and 10,900 won for iOS users. Existing YouTube Premium (14,900 won) and YouTube Music Premium (11,990 won) subscriptions will remain available.
An FTC official stated, "The pricing will remain in effect for at least one year and, even if adjustments are made, will stay lower than prices in major overseas markets for up to four years." The service, already available in 19 other countries, will launch in South Korea at the lowest relative price among major markets. Google must roll it out within 90 days of receiving the consent decision.
In July 2024, the FTC issued a report akin to a formal complaint, accusing Google Korea of unfairly bundling the services, which restricted consumer choice and abused market dominance. Instead of a prolonged legal fight, Google submitted a corrective plan under the 'consent decision' procedure, allowing the FTC to suspend the probe if measures address the harm.
Some critics argue that using a consent decision without ruling on the legality gives Google a free pass. The FTC countered that the system is widely used internationally to quickly restore competitive conditions and implement necessary fixes.