- YouTube is currently testing out requiring a Premium subscription for 4K and higher resolutions.
- People in Google’s experimental group who are non-subscribers are seeing Premium appear next to the 2160p option.
- This would add a new perk for YouTube Premium while taking away something that’s currently free for all users.
Google has been trying hard to get YouTube viewers to subscribe to its Premium subscription. While this has mostly come in the form of pushing more ads — both skippable and unskippable — the company seems to be testing out a new strategy. This new strategy could see 4K and higher resolutions locked behind its paywall.
Over the last month, pictures have started to pop up across Reddit showing a new feature for YouTube Premium — 4K video. It appears that Google is currently testing the idea of making its 4K resolution option exclusive for subscribers. Those who are in Google’s experimental group are reporting that they are seeing the word Premium next to the 2160p option when looking to select a new resolution.