YouTube plans to suspend support for its dedicated Apple TV channel, meaning third-generation devices will no longer be able to access the service.
The video platform recently started telling users that the channel will be shut down starting next month, reports 9to5Mac.
Starting in 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 to any Apple TV (3rd generation or later).
YouTube alert appears before videos are shown on third-generation Apple TV devices.
While native replay ends in March, users can still stream YouTube content to old Apple TV boxes over AirPlay. Of course that work requires an iPhone or iPad, much easier than turning on an Apple TV and navigating to a particular channel.
The change does not affect conventional Apple TV devices, especially Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K, as they run tvOS and offer access to the App Store, where YouTube continues to market app.
The upcoming closure marks the release of a similar end-of-life in 2015, when YouTube pulled the plug on support for second-generation Apple TV units. That closure was due to the then new YouTube Data API, which broke compatibility with various streaming devices.