YouTube has announced the launch of its new music streaming service YouTube Music in South Africa.

According to a statement issued to the media, the service offers music videos, official albums, singles, remixes, live performances, covers and hard-to-find music.

The ad-supported version of YouTube Music is free of charge, but the YouTube MusicPremium is a paid membership at R59.99 per month.

The company is offering three months of YouTube MusicPremium at no charge, after which the R59.99 fee will be payable or R89.99 per month for a family plan.

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."

Users can search for descriptions, lyrics and even emojis to find the tracks they want to listen to, according to Patel.

The company says Smart Search is available in most languages, including indigenous South African languages such as isiZulu and isiXhosa.

Patel adds: "Google Play Music subscribers will automatically receive access to YouTube Music Premium at their current price. Nothing is changing with Google Play Music - 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.