Video and music lovers in the Philippines can now enjoy YouTube without ads by subscribing to YouTube Premium (formerly YouTube Red) for as low as ₱159 per month. The service was rolled out in seven Asian countries today, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore.
YouTube Premium subscribers get to enjoy ad-free videos that can be downloaded and watched offline without an Internet connection. YouTube Premium subscribers can also play videos and music in the background while using other apps or when the screen is locked.
Subscribers can watch YouTube-produced originals such as the Karate Kid-inspired series Cobra Kai, the horror-comedy web TV show Scare PewDiePie, and the murder and mystery series Escape the Night. The subscription also includes to access to YouTube Music and its vast library of millions of songs without ads, as well as YouTube Kids.
To subscribe to YouTube Premium and YouTube Music, just go to www.youtube.com/premium or tap the profile icon in the YouTube app and then selecting “Get YouTube Premium.” The monthly subscription costs ₱159 per month, while the family subscription, which allows you to add up to 5 family members, costs ₱239 per month. First-time subscribers can avail of a one-month free trial and will be charged only after the end of the first month.

Apple and iOS device users may have to pay more as it’s billed through iTunes. Apple users can pay lower by subscribing to YouTube Premium using a web browser.
If you’re annoyed by unskippable ads on YouTube, then maybe it’s time to get a YouTube Premium subscription. You can enjoy the first month free, and you can cancel your subscription anytime before the end of your free trial. All you need is a credit/debit card or a PayPal account. Globe and Smart subscribers can also choose to be charged through their postpaid accounts.
Aside from never worrying about ads, you can also play videos and music in the background while using another application. One of my pet peeves about YouTube is that it stops playing when I open another app or when the screen is turned off. With YouTube Premium, you can check your Facebook while listening to your favorite karaoke songs in the background. For that reason alone, I’m willing pay the monthly fee.
How about you? Are you planning to subscribe to YouTube Premium? Share your thoughts below!