YouTube cutting off third-gen Apple TV channel in March

YouTube is planning to discontinue support for its dedicated Apple TV channel, meaning third-generation devices will no longer be able to access the service.

The video platform recently began to inform users that the channel will be shut down starting next month, reports 9to5Mac.

Starting early March, the YouTube app will no longer be available on Apple TV (3rd generation). You can still watch YouTube on Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, iPhone, or iPad. With AirPlay, you can also stream YouTube from your iOS device directly to any Apple TV (3rd generation or later).

YouTube's warning appears before videos are displayed on third-generation Apple TV devices.

While native playback ends in March, users can still stream YouTube content to older Apple TV boxes over AirPlay. Of course that workaround requires an iPhone or iPad, much less convenient than turning on Apple TV and navigating to a dedicated channel.

Current Apple TV devices, specifically Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K, are unaffected by the change as they run tvOS and offer access to the App Store, where YouTube continues to market an app.

The coming shutdown echoes a similar end-of-life announcement in 2015, when YouTube pulled the plug on support for second-generation Apple TV units. That shutdown was a result of the then-new YouTube Data API, which broke compatibility with a variety of streaming devices.

12 Comments

JWSC 1203 comments · 7 Years

About 3 years ago

Hmmm. Do I upgrade my Apple TV or not? Decisions, decisions...

entropys 4302 comments · 13 Years

Darn it. Still using mine ATV3 the bedroom as I have a 4K attached to the main TV in the lounge and won’t buy another until a new model comes out.
Don’t really use YouTube on that one though, and Disney Plus isn’t available already..

pulseimages 652 comments · 8 Years

I just stream it to my Apple TV3 via Airplay though I was getting a lot of errors on various videos last night. I won’t upgrade until a new, improved Apple TV comes out.

bestkeptsecret 4285 comments · 13 Years

entropys said:

Darn it. Still using mine ATV3 the bedroom as I have a 4K attached to the main TV in the lounge and won’t buy another until a new model comes out.
Don’t really use YouTube on that one though, and Disney Plus isn’t available already..

I've been on the 4th gen. for ages and am keen on replacing it. However, like you, I do not want to buy the 4K one now because there have been rumours for quite a while now that a new version will be released.

Of course, it's not smart to plan around rumours, but I can still afford to wait. At least Youtube isn't going anywhere on the 4th gen. just yet.

I do use the app a lot - mainly for Screen Junkies, Cinefix and the dozens of live shows Metallica seem to put out every year!

pulseimages said:

I just stream it to my Apple TV3 via Airplay though I was getting a lot of errors on various videos last night. I won’t upgrade until a new, improved Apple TV comes out.

A workaround could be that you screen mirror your iPhone, if it is possible on Apple TV 3 and then use the YouTube app in full-screen mode. Would that work?