YouTube TV will cancel subscriptions of customers using Apple’s in-app payments in March. Google’s YouTube unit this week informed YouTube TV customers of a change in policy that will see the discontinuation of subscriptions purchased through Apple’s in-app payments mechanism, forcing users to subscribe elsewhere or cancel the service.
YouTube began sending emails to customers who have subscribed to its YouTube TV service through the Apple App Store with a warning that their subscriptions will be suspended in March.
According to a letter sent to YouTube TV customers, the company will stop accepting payments for subscriptions through Apple’s in-app system on March 13.
As noted by MacRumors, current members of the service can continue to watch YouTube TV content on Apple devices, meaning the service itself is not being pulled from the App Store.
“You’ll be billed for one final month of service and then you’re in-app purchase subscription will be canceled automatically on your billing date after March 13, 2020,” the letter reads.
YouTube could not clarify the change in policy, but Apple’s traditional 30% cut in all payments integrated into the application probably played a role in the decision. In an attempt to encourage the adoption of subscription payment models, Apple reduces its App Store rate to 15% for users who have a monthly subscription for more than a year.
To compensate, YouTube TV customers who pay in the app on Apple devices are charged $ 54.99 per month, more than the typical $ 49.99 rate applied to all other customers. YouTube put an end to new subscriptions made through in-app purchases on iPhone and iPad months ago, but so far it has allowed existing users to continue using Apple’s mechanism to process monthly payments.
The change in YouTube TV terms occurs amid rumors that the company is considering an expansion of its service that allows users to register and subscribe to premium third-party streaming services. Apple currently offers a similar product on Apple TV channels.