Everyone who subscribed to YouTube TV via Apple’s App Store got a notice today that their subscriptions will be canceled next month. They’ll have to resubscribe on the YouTube website.
A statement from Google said, “YouTube TV no longer supports in-app purchases on iOS,” according to Cnet.
Cutting out Apple’s share of subscription fees
This streaming video service didn’t give a reason for the change, but it’s almost certainly to cut out the share of subscription fees companies have to pay Apple if the money comes through the App Store. 30% of in-app purchases go to Apple during the first year of a subscription, and 15% goes to the iPhone maker each subsequent year.
Google was already charging those who subscribed to YouTube TV via the Apple App Store $5 above the standard $50 a month fee. And now it’s cutting this option out completely.
But it’s not cutting off service for Apple TV, Mac, iPhone, etc. users. “Apple continues to be an important partner for YouTube, and our users can still enjoy their favorite content across iOS devices,” this service promised in its official statement. But after March 13, many Apple users will have to resubscribe.
Google revealed recently that YouTube TV has over 2 million paid subscribers. It’s not known how many of these paid through the App Store, or how much Apple is due to lose from this change.
This isn’t the only company to take this action. Neither Netflix nor Spotify will let users pay through the App Store.
Via: MacRumors
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
