YouTube has confirmed major changes to the Partner Program that allows creators to monetize their channels, as well as teasing expansions to its Premium Lite subscription.
In a blog post and video, YouTube details its first major update to Partner Program requirements in years, with the requirements going up quite dramatically. YouTube will now require:
- 8,000 watch hours in the past 365 days or
- 20 million qualified Shorts views in the past 90 days
- 1,000 subscribers
This new requirement kicks in on February 1, 2027, and will not impact those already qualified for the Partner Program, but all will need to accept the updated terms. Previously, YPP required only 4,000 watch hours and 10 million Shorts views.
YouTube says that these changes will enable the platform to “invest in new incentive programs that directly support creator growth and the many business models that work across YouTube.”
Beyond this, YouTube is also teasing that its more affordable Premium Lite subscription is expanding to “all countries where Premium is available,” with 60% of subscription revenue shared with creators.
We are expanding Premium Lite to all countries where Premium is available. On average, creators earn more per user from Premium than from ads (based on 2026 performance).
For Premium Lite, creators will share in a pool representing 60% of net subscription revenue. For Premium views, creators will share in a pool representing 30% of net subscription revenue. In YouTube Analytics, Premium Lite earnings are included in your standard YouTube Premium metrics.
The exact timing of Premium Lite expansion is unclear.
More on YouTube:
- YouTube Premium subscribers are getting Peacock for free in ‘the coming months’
- YouTube rolling out new in-app messaging with invite-only chats
- YouTube is making its app better for podcast playback, but only for Premium users
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