Months after launching the enhanced bitrate 1080p option for its Premium subscribers on mobile, YouTube has extended the offering to its web platform. Originally introduced on iOS devices in April, the higher-quality 1080p option is now accessible to more Premium members through the web interface.
YouTube stated in an April blog post that this enhanced bitrate feature allows Premium subscribers to enjoy “extra crisp and clear” videos, especially those with a lot of detail and motion like sports-related and gaming content. Non-Premium users can still access the standard 1080p quality, which has been available since November 2009.
The introduction of the enhanced 1080p option coincided with a price increase for YouTube’s Premium plan. To access higher video quality, individual viewers now have to pay $13.99/month, up from $11.99.
It is worth mentioning that Premium subscribers can also enjoy the enhanced 1080p video quality on other devices, including TVs, Chromecasts, and video game consoles, according to a statement from YouTube to TechCrunch. Additionally, YouTube TV, the platform’s streaming service, is currently testing a higher bitrate for live 1080p content.
With the implementation of this enhancement on the web platform, YouTube aims to provide a more immersive and visually pleasing experience for its Premium subscribers.
