YouTube, Google's video streaming platform, has hiked prices for its premium subscription plans in the United States for the first time since the service was launched in 2018.

The YouTube Premium plan will now cost $13.99 per month, up from $11.99. The annual plan will cost $139.99, up from $119.99.

The price hike applies to all new and existing subscribers in the United States. However, members who have been subscribed for five years or more will be grandfathered in at the old price for an additional three months.

YouTube has not released any specific reasons for the price hike, but it is likely due to rising costs for the company. YouTube has been investing heavily in new features and content, such as its original programming and its YouTube Music service.

The price hike is also likely a way for YouTube to generate more revenue from its premium subscribers. YouTube Premium offers a number of benefits, including ad-free viewing, background playback, and access to YouTube Originals.

The price hike is likely to be met with some resistance from users, but it is unlikely to have a significant impact on YouTube's business. The company still has a large and growing user base, and its premium subscription plans are still relatively affordable compared to other streaming services.

In a statement, YouTube said that the price hike was "necessary to continue investing in our products and services." The company added that it was "committed to providing our users with the best possible experience."

The price hike for YouTube Premium is the latest in a series of price increases for streaming services. In recent months, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu have all raised their prices.

The price hikes are a sign of the growing competition in the streaming market. As more and more streaming services launch, they are all vying for a share of the same subscribers. This is driving up the cost of streaming, as each company tries to offer a more compelling value proposition.

It remains to be seen how the price hike for YouTube Premium will impact the company's subscriber growth. However, it is clear that YouTube is committed to investing in its premium subscription plans. This suggests that the company is confident that the price hike will not have a significant impact on its business.