YouTube TV subscriptions made via App Store will be discontinued from March 13
by Jay BonggoltoYouTube appears to be finally expressing displeasure at Apple's in-app purchase system as YouTube TV subscriptions made through the App Store are set to be canceled beginning on March 13. The upcoming change is indicated in an email to subscribers, spotted by MacRumors.
Once this change takes effect, YouTube TV subscriptions of existing customers will be discontinued on the first billing date after March 13. In addition, new subscribers won't be able to pay for the service via the App Store from that date onwards. The email states:
"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 is worth noting that YouTube TV will remain available on Apple devices, although subscriptions and payments will need to be made through YouTube's website. YouTube did not offer any reason for the cancellation.
The service is only the latest to be pulling from Apple's in-app purchase option. In late 2018, Netflix also kicked back from the system as a method of payment for new subscribers and, instead, started directing them to its website. Typically, Apple takes 30% off of the first 12 months' worth of subscription fees and then drops its share to 15% for the succeeding payments.
Source: MacRumors