Let me help you out if you‘re considering canceling your YouTube TV subscription. As a streaming analyst, I have researched tips and alternatives to guide you in this decision.
What is YouTube TV?
First, some background. YouTube TV launched in 2017 as Google‘s live TV streaming service. It competes with established cable providers by offering a robust channel lineup spanning sports, news, entertainment and more without requiring contracts or equipment rentals.
Over the years, YouTube TV has experienced massive growth thanks to competitive pricing and cloud DVR features. As of Q3 2022, the service has over 5 million subscribers – up from just 1 million in 2019. However, recent rate hikes have led some to reevaluate it.
YouTube TV Pricing History
| Launch (2017) | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35/month | $50/month | $65/month | $64.99/month |
Now let‘s get into how you can actually cancel a YouTube TV membership if needed.
Step-by-Step: How to Cancel YouTube TV
The cancellation process is straightforward and only takes about a minute through their website or mobile app. Here are the detailed steps including annotated screenshots:
From Desktop Web Browser
-
Open any browser and visit the YouTube TV site
-
In the top right, click Sign In to access your account
-
Under your profile icon, select the Settings gear option
-
In left menu, choose Membership
-
Next to your plan, click Manage Membership
-
Select Cancel Membership on next page
-
Confirm on pop-up prompt
Once canceled, you will have access until the billing cycle expires.
From Mobile App
The process is very similar on Android and Apple devices:
- Open the YouTube TV app
- Tap your profile picture > Settings
- Select Membership section
- Tap Manage Membership
- Choose Cancel Membership option
- Finalize by tapping confirmation prompt
Again, this will instantly cancel auto-renewal going forward but maintain access temporarily.
Mid-Cycle vs End-of-Cycle Implications
An important note – the timing of when you cancel makes a difference:
- Mid-cycle cancelation: You will retain access until the end of the current billing period
- End-of-cycle cancelation: Your membership terminates immediately when canceled at renewal
So for maximum value, I actually advise waiting until a day or two before the next cycle begins. Just be sure to track the renewal timing for your account to avoid being charged again.
Alternatives to Canceling
If you still see value in YouTube TV but need a temporary break, there are alternatives to fully canceling:
Pausing Your Membership
You can pause for up to 6 months (24 weeks) while retaining all account details and saved recordings for quick reactivation later.
Benefits
- Avoid cancelation fees or losing access mid-cycle
- Quickly resume service without signing up again
- Save money during hiatus periods like sports off-seasons
Drawbacks
- Still lose aspects like ability to record or stream channels
- Need to track pause duration or membership auto-renews
Switching Streaming Services
Another option I recommend is rotating between YouTube TV and competitors month-to-month. For instance:
- Use YouTube TV for better sports coverage during NBA/NFL seasons
- Swap to Hulu Live TV for superior on-demand content in off months
Here‘s a comparison between YouTube TV and alternatives:
| Service | Price | Notable Channels | Cloud DVR | Simultaneous Streams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $64.99/month | ESPN, TNT, TBS | Unlimited | 3 |
| Hulu + Live TV | $69.99/month | ESPN, TBS, FX | 50 hours | 2 |
| Sling TV | Starts at $35/month | ESPN, AMC, A&E | 50 hours | 1-4 |
The ability to switch services gives you flexibility to mix and match benefits while saving money.
I hope these tips give you more options around canceling – whether fully cutting ties for now or just taking a short break from YouTube TV. Feel free to reach out if any other questions come up!
