YouTube TV will cancel your subscription if you made it via Apple in-app payments
YouTube doesn’t want to split its YouTube TV subscription revenues with Apple anymore. Now, the company is preparing to phase out in-app subscriptions on the iPhone and iPad completely.
Come March, if you signed up for Youtube TV via an Apple in-app purchase then you will have to re-sign-up using a browser. If you do this you will still be able to watch YouTube TV on Apple devices (via MacRumors).
Related: Netflix vs Amazon
YouTube TV stopped accepting sign-ups through iPhone and iPad in-app subscriptions a while ago. This move is seemingly the next stage in the company’s plan to increase subscription revenues.
Emails have been sent to subscribers by YouTube − they explain:
“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 cancelled automatically on your billing date after March, 13, 2020.”
We’re not sure what exactly pushed YouTube to make this move, but presumably the motivation of getting a greater share of subscriber revenues was enough. In an increasingly cut-throat streaming industry Apple’s cut might have become harder to stomach.
At present, Apple take 30% of the subscription price paid by each subscriber for the first 12 months of their subscription. After that period, if the subscription remains active, Apple’s cut drops to 15%.
Related: Apple TV Plus vs Netflix
30% is a pretty hefty cut, so we can see why YouTube might have taken exception to this, especially now Apple have its own competing service, Apple TV Plus.
Since launch, Apple TV Plus has divided critics and fans alike. Some of the platforms content has been well-received but the streaming service seems a long, long way from posing any threat to Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.