YouTuber Users to Pay to Watch Videos in 4k Resolution

YouTube is currently running a test on some of its users that removes the 4K video resolution option as a free offering and instead makes it a feature you have to pay for, TechCrunch reports.

Some YouTube users posted screenshots on Reddit and Twitter showing the 4K option, which is usually free to all users, as a YouTube Premium feature. YouTube Premium, which offers features like ad-free viewing and the ability to download videos and songs, charges users monthly subscription fees. In some top countries like the US, a YouTube Premium subscription costs $11.99 each month.

According to Business Insider, a YouTube spokesperson did not immediately respond to its request for comment.

However,  YouTube's official support Twitter account, TeamYouTube, replied to a user making inquiry on the 4K option.

"It looks like your part of our experiment to know better the feature preferences Premium & non-Premium viewers," TeamYouTube replied a user on Twitter, and further asked users to share their thoughts to help them (You Tube) make improvement.

“If you have more thoughts in mind, you can share it here so we can make improvement.”

YouTube often tests tweaks or changes to features, and there's no official statement yet regarding the scope of any test related to paying for 4K resolution and whether it is still ongoing. It can’t there be concluded that YouTube is intending to paywall the 4k resolution, as not every feature test results in a product change.

Peradventure, YouTube decides to paywall 4K resolution, it could lead to increase in the subscriber base of Premium and subscription revenue.