If you prefer to subscribe to third-party services directly through the App Store, and you happen to subscribe to YouTube TV, there’s a bit of a change coming next month.
According to emails sent out to YouTube TV customers (via MacRumors) today, YouTube is officially ending support for App Store subscriptions beginning March 13, 2020. At that point, they will be discontinued altogether. This, of course, does not mean that YouTube TV customers will be losing support on their Apple-branded devices, so you’ll still be able to watch content. You just won’t be able to subscribe directly through the App Store.
Here’s the important bit from the emails sent out to customers:
You’re currently subscribed to YouTube TV through Apple in-app purchases, so we’re writing to let you know that, starting March 13, 2020, YouTube TV will no longer accept payment through Apple in-app purchases.
YouTube TV members will still be able to watch YouTube TV content on Apple devices.
You’ll be billed for one final month of service and then your in-app purchase subscription will be canceled automatically on your billing date after March, 13, 2020.
It isn’t a secret that Apple takes a cut from subscriptions (30 percent for the first 12 months, and then 15 percent after that) delivered through the App Store, the easy bet here is that YouTube doesn’t want to do that anymore and that’s why it’s ending support for App Store in-app subscription support. However, YouTube does not actually provide a reason in the email sent out to customers, and the company hasn’t made an official statement on the matter.
If you are a YouTube TV customer and you subscribe to the service directly through the App Store, be aware that this change rolls out next month.