YouTube ‘pause trick’ instantly cuts your bills by hundreds of dollars a year – TV expert reveals where to activate
A COST-cutting YouTube TV pause trick could save hundreds of dollars a year in streaming fees.
It’s easy to put your subscription on temporary hold, said a tech expert.
YouTube unveiled its game-changing live TV service back in 2017.
Fast forward seven years, and the online video giant now offers subscribers more than 100 live channels.
"YouTube TV is Google’s answer to a TV streaming service," wrote at the time of its launch.
However, it's only available in the U.S., nationwide.
yesterday shared some practical advice for subscribers wishing to take a break from the service - for example if they are going on holiday, or need to save some cash.
HOW TO PAUSE YOUTUBE TV SERVICE
You can cancel or pause your YouTube TV membership at any time, said .
Firstly, open the YouTube TV app on your android device, or visit tv.youtube.com on a web browser.
Then, select your profile photo.
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The third step is to go to settings, and click on membership.
Use the slider to choose how many weeks you would like to pause your membership.
Finally, just click pause.
"When you pause your membership, you can choose the length of this paused state, from four weeks up to six months," added Google.
However, your membership will not be paused until after the end of your current billing cycle.
What is YouTube TV?
YouTube TV is an American streaming television service operated by YouTube, a subsidiary of Google.
The service was launched in the US in 2017.
Viewers can watch live TV from a huge choice of more than 100 channels.
It currently has more than eight million subscribers.
"We are a subscription streaming service that lets you watch live and on-demand TV from major broadcast and popular cable networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, AMC, HGTV, TNT, and more," it said.
"That’s 100+ channels of local and national live sports, breaking news, and must-see shows the moment they air, all included in our base plan.
"You’ll get to record your favorites with unlimited cloud DVR storage space and share six accounts with your household."
The obvious downside is that cannot be accessed while your membership is paused.
Also, no new programs will be recorded.
But, previous recordings will be saved until the end of the paused stage.
"When your paused state ends, you'll automatically be charged at your normal monthly price, and that date becomes your new billing date," it added.
"Paused memberships cannot be extended, but you can resume and re-pause memberships as needed."
RESTART
Subscribers can restart their service at any time before the end of the scheduled resume date.
They just need to visit .
In this situation, the date you resume your membership will become your new billing date.
MILLIONS OF SUBSCRIBERS
reported in February that YouTube TV now has more than eight million subscribers in the US.
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"That means YouTube TV, starting at $72.99 per month, is far and away the biggest internet-streaming subscription TV service in the country," it added.
"The next largest is Disney’s Hulu + Live TV, which had 4.6 million customers as of the end of Q3, followed by Dish’s Sling TV (2.1 million) and Fubo (1.5 million)."