YouTube TV bills monthly and charges your payment method on the same date each month

YouTube TV is a subscription service that costs a set amount per month. The company charges your account automatically on the day you signed up, then on that same date every month after. You choose which payment method YouTube TV uses — a credit card, debit card, or Google Play balance — and that method gets charged unless you change it or cancel your subscription.

The monthly price varies depending on which plan you choose and where you live. YouTube TV offers a base plan and sometimes promotional pricing for new members. Your bill appears in your Google Account, and you can see the charge on your bank or card statement under "Google" or "YouTube TV".

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube TV charges your payment method automatically each month on the anniversary of your signup date, not on a fixed calendar date.
  • You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or Google Play balance, and you can change your payment method at any time in your account settings.
  • Your billing history and receipts are stored in your Google Account under Payments & subscriptions, where you can read them as PDFs.
  • If a payment fails, YouTube TV sends you a notification and usually gives you a few days to update your payment method before your service pauses.
  • Cancelling your subscription stops future charges when ready, but you keep access to YouTube TV through the end of your current billing period.

Payment methods YouTube TV accepts

YouTube TV takes credit cards and debit cards issued by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can also pay using a Google Play balance if you have added money to that account. The payment method you add is stored in your Google Account, encrypted for security.

You do not have to use the same payment method every month. You can change which card or balance YouTube TV charges by going to your Google Account, selecting "Payments & subscriptions," finding YouTube TV, and clicking to edit your payment method. The new method takes effect on your next billing date.

How to add or change your payment method

To add a payment method or switch to a different one, sign into your Google Account on a computer or phone. Go to Payments & subscriptions in the left menu, then select Manage subscriptions. Find YouTube TV in the list and click on it.

Click Edit payment method. You can then enter a new card number, expiration date, and CVV, or select a different card you have already saved. If you want to use your Google Play balance instead, select that option from the dropdown. Save your changes. The new payment method will be used on your next billing date.

If you are on a phone, the steps are the same but the menu layout may look slightly different depending on whether you use Android or iPhone. The Payments & subscriptions section is always in your Google Account settings, not in the YouTube TV app itself.

What happens when a payment fails

If YouTube TV cannot charge your payment method — for example, because your card expired or your bank declined the charge — Google sends you an email notification. The email tells you that the payment failed and gives you a link to update your payment method.

You usually have a grace period of a few days to fix the problem. During that time, you can still watch YouTube TV. If you do not update your payment method before the grace period ends, your service pauses. You cannot watch anything until you add a working payment method. Once you do, your service resumes when ready and you are not charged twice.

If your payment fails repeatedly or you ignore the notifications, Google may eventually cancel your subscription. You would then need to sign up again as a new member if you want to restart service.

Finding and downloading your billing history

Your YouTube TV charges appear in your Google Account under Payments & subscriptions. Sign into your Google Account, go to that section, and select Manage subscriptions. Click on YouTube TV to see your subscription details and billing history.

You can see each charge, the date it was made, and the amount. To read a receipt as a PDF, click on the specific charge. A receipt window opens with an option to read or print. These receipts show the date, amount, payment method used, and your subscription plan. You can read receipts for any past charge, going back as far as your account history goes.

If you need a receipt for tax or accounting purposes, you can read as many as you need. The PDF includes your Google Account email and the transaction ID, which you can use if you need to dispute a charge with your bank.

Cancelling your subscription and stopping charges

To stop YouTube TV from charging you, you must cancel your subscription. Cancellation is different from pausing — when you cancel, all future charges stop, but you keep access to YouTube TV until the end of your current billing period.

To cancel, go to your Google Account, select Payments & subscriptions, then Manage subscriptions. Click on YouTube TV and select Cancel subscription. Google will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay. If you proceed with cancellation, no more charges will be made after your current billing period ends.

If you cancel in the middle of a billing period, you do not get a refund for the unused time. You straightforward keep access through the end of that period. If you change your mind and want to resubscribe later, you can sign up again at any time, and your billing date will reset to the day you resubscribe.

Disputing a charge with your bank

If you see a YouTube TV charge on your statement that you believe is wrong, you have two options: contact Google first, or dispute it with your bank.

To contact Google, go to your Google Account, find the charge under Payments & subscriptions, and look for a "Report a problem" or "Contact us" link. Explain the issue and Google will investigate. This usually takes a few days.

You can also dispute the charge directly with your bank or credit card company. Tell them the charge was unauthorized or incorrect, and provide them with the transaction ID from your receipt. Your bank will then contact Google to investigate. During a dispute, the charge may be temporarily reversed while the investigation happens. If Google and your bank cannot resolve it, your bank will make a final decision about whether you get the money back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a prepaid card to pay for YouTube TV?

Yes, prepaid cards that carry a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover logo work the same way as regular debit cards. Make sure the card has enough balance to cover the monthly charge, because if it does not, the payment will fail and you will get a notification to update your payment method.

What day of the month does YouTube TV charge me?

YouTube TV charges you on the same date each month that you signed up. If you signed up on the 15th, you are charged on the 15th of every month. If you signed up on the 31st and a month has only 30 days, YouTube TV charges you on the last day of that month instead.

Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-billing period?

No, YouTube TV does not refund unused time when you cancel. You keep access through the end of your current billing period, but you do not get money back for the days remaining. If you want to avoid being charged again, cancel before your next billing date arrives.

Will YouTube TV charge me if I pause my subscription?

YouTube TV does not have a pause feature. You can only cancel your subscription, which stops all future charges. If you want to use YouTube TV again later, you sign up again and start a new subscription with a new billing date.

What if my payment method is about to expire?

Update your payment method in your Google Account before your card expires. If your card expires and YouTube TV tries to charge it, the payment will fail and you will get a notification. You then have a few days to add a new payment method before your service pauses. It is easier to update it ahead of time so there is no interruption.