YouTube Testing High Bitrate 1080p Streaming for Premium Users: Is 4K Next?

According to reports, YouTube is experimenting with a new feature for its mobile users called "1080p Premium" which provides enhanced bitrate for paying subscribers. A Reddit user shared a screenshot of this new option, which appears above the regular 1080p streaming option, indicating that it is only available for YouTube Premium users. This feature is expected to address users' demands for higher-quality videos on the platform.

According to reports, YouTube is testing a new feature called "1080p Premium" for mobile users, which provides "Enhanced Bitrate" for paying users. This feature is currently available only for YouTube Premium users. The addition of this feature could help offset YouTube's operating costs for mobile users who desire to watch videos of higher quality. Users can currently switch to 1440p or 2160p (4K) for high-quality video streaming on YouTube. It appears that YouTube could be separating 1080p videos into lower and higher bitrate tiers, as there have been reports of lower-quality content recently.

​This move comes at a time when Susan Wojcicki, who has been CEO for nine years, resigned, indicating changes in the company's strategies. YouTube Premium costs Rs 129 per month or Rs 1,290 for the entire year and provides ad-free videos, background play, the ability to download videos for offline viewing, and access to YouTube Music Premium. However, YouTube has not provided any official information about the new 1080p high bitrate streaming.

It looks like YouTube is testing out a "high-bitrate" option for 1080p video.

This is smart as a lot of people simply use 4K for the better bitrate. Having a high bitrate at 1080p would address that desire without the increased cost from 4K. https://t.co/dqKCG7XEdk

— M. Brandon Lee | THIS IS TECH TODAY (@thisistechtoday) February 22, 2023

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-Anurag