YouTube has begun sending out emails to YouTube TV customers that subscribe to the service through Apple’s App Store, informing them that App Store subscription support will be discontinued in March.
From the emails (Via MacRumors):
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.
YouTube hasn’t supplied any reasons as to why it is ending subscriptions through the App Store, but it is likely due to the cut of subscription fees that Apple takes. The Cupertino firm wets its beak to the tune of 30% of the subscription fee paid by a subscriber for the first 12 months and then drops to 15% for the rest of the subscription term. This move will allow YouTube to keep all the money from its subs.
Once the support for App Store subscriptions is removed, YouTube will also need to remove any mentions of subscribing or signing up from the app, as Apple doesn’t allow linking out from an app to a third-party subscription option.
App developers have long complained about Apple’s taking a cut of the action on subscriptions. Some have opted to charge more for a subscription through the App Store to make up for Apple’s cut, while others have chosen not to offer an in-app subscription option.