YouTube Music launches in South Africa

YouTube has launched a new music streaming service called YouTube Music in South Africa.

The service offers music videos, official albums, singles, remixes, live performances, covers and hard-to-find music you can only get on YouTube.

YouTube Music offers a number of features music lovers will really enjoy, says Google SA Head of Marketing Asha Patel.

“A home screen that dynamically adapts to provide recommendations based on what you’ve played before, where you are and what you’re doing. Thousands of playlists across any genre, mood or activity, the hottest new music and, no internet, no problem. Get YouTube Music Premium to listen ad-free, in the background and on-the-go with downloads. Plus, your Offline Mixtape automatically downloads songs you love just in case you forgot to.”

“With the Smart Search feature on YouTube Music,” she adds, “music lovers can find any song, even if they can’t remember what it’s called.”

YouTube Music can be enjoyed for free on an ad-supported version, but listeners can also get an ad-free experience with YouTube Music Premium. For R59.99 a month, members get background listening, no ads, and downloads.

Music fans can get three months of YouTube Music Premium free, but only for a limited time – you’ll pay R59.99 per month after or R89.99 per month for a Family Plan.

Google Play Music subscribers will automatically receive access to YouTube Music Premium at their current price.

“Nothing is changing with Google Play Music,” says Patel. “You’ll still be able to access all of your purchased music, uploads and playlists in Google Play Music just like always.”

The new YouTube Music app is available to download from the Play Store and App Store today or users can check out the web player at music.youtube.com and sign up for YouTube Premium at youtube.com/premium.