Can you delete episodes on YouTube TV?

Types of Recordings on YouTube TV and How to Delete Them

YouTube TV offers users the ability to record live TV shows, movies, and events through its cloud DVR feature. Here’s a breakdown of the types of recordings available and how to manage them:

Types of Recordings on YouTube TV

Recorded Episodes and Shows: YouTube TV automatically records episodes of shows you add to your library. These recordings are stored in the cloud and can be accessed anytime. The service also records all episodes of a series, including reruns, unless you specify otherwise.
Movies: You can record movies by selecting them in the guide or searching for them. Recorded movies are saved to your library alongside TV shows.
Live Events and Sports: YouTube TV allows you to record live events, sports games, and special broadcasts. These remain accessible in your library for up to nine months.

How to Delete Recordings

To free up space or remove unwanted recordings, follow these steps:

Open the YouTube TV app or website and navigate to your Library tab.
Select the show, movie, or event you want to delete.
Click on the three-dot menu (⋮) and choose Remove from Library.
Confirm the deletion if prompted.

For more details on managing your YouTube TV library, check out this guide on how to delete episodes on YouTube TV.

Note: YouTube TV’s cloud DVR has unlimited storage, so deleting recordings is mostly for organizational purposes rather than freeing up space.

YouTube TV Recordings Management Tutorial

How to Delete Recordings From Different Devices

To delete individual episodes or entire recordings from YouTube TV, follow these steps for each device:

On Web (Desktop/Laptop)

Open YouTube TV in your browser and sign in.
Go to the “Library” tab.
Navigate to the “Shows” or “Movies” section.
Find the recording you want to remove and hover over it.
Click the three-dot menu (⋮) and select “Remove from library.”
Confirm the deletion if prompted.

On Mobile (Android/iOS)

Open the YouTube TV app on your device.
Tap the “Library” tab at the bottom.
Select “Shows” or “Movies.”
Locate the recording, then tap and hold on it (or use the three-dot menu).
Choose “Remove from library.”
Confirm the action.

On Smart TV or Streaming Devices (e.g., Roku, Apple TV, etc.)

Open the YouTube TV app on your device.
Go to the “Library” section.
Navigate to “Shows” or “Movies.”
Select the recording you want to delete.
Use the options button (or equivalent) to choose “Remove from library.”
Confirm the deletion.

For more details or troubleshooting, refer to the official YouTube TV Help Center. If you’re looking to delete an entire series, the steps are similar—just ensure you select the option to remove all episodes. For further assistance, check out our guide on deleting episodes.

Common Problems and Solutions When Deleting Episodes

Deleting episodes from streaming platforms or recording devices can sometimes be frustrating, especially when errors occur or recordings don’t delete as expected. Below are common issues and their solutions to help you troubleshoot:

Episodes Won’t Delete

Cause: Sometimes, episodes remain in your library due to syncing errors or corrupted files.
Solution:
- Refresh the app or restart the device to force a sync.
- Manually delete the episode from the device’s storage if the platform allows it (e.g., YouTube TV lets you manage recordings in the Library section [Source: YouTube TV Help]).
- Check for pending updates for the app, as bugs may prevent deletions.

Error Messages When Deleting

Cause: You may encounter errors like “Unable to delete” or “Episode in use.”
Solution:
- Close all apps running in the background.
- Ensure you have sufficient storage space on the device.
- Some platforms, like Netflix, restrict deletions due to parental controls—verify your account permissions [Source: Netflix Help].

Episodes Reappear After Deletion

Cause: This often happens due to cloud syncing or platform-specific settings.
Solution:
- Turn off auto-download or auto-record features for the series.
- Clear the cache of the app or reset the streaming device if the issue persists.

For more related troubleshooting, check out our guide on how to delete episodes. If you’re managing multiple accounts, you might also find our article on handling multiple accounts helpful.

Managing YouTube TV Recordings and Storage

To efficiently manage your recordings on YouTube TV and understand its storage policies and limits, follow these steps:

Storage Limits: Your YouTube TV DVR storage is unlimited for recordings, but there is a time limit. Recorded shows are saved for nine months before being automatically deleted. However, this duration resets if the show re-airs on any network during that period.
Deleting Episodes: To manually delete old or unwanted episodes:
- Open the YouTube TV app or website.
- Navigate to the Library tab.
- Select the show or episode you want to remove.
- Click the three-dot menu and choose Remove from Library.
Prioritizing Recordings: If storage becomes cluttered, prioritize which shows to keep by:
- Marking favorite series to ensure they remain in your library.
- Removing outdated or unwatched episodes to free up space for new recordings.
Managing Storage on Multiple Devices: Ensure all devices linked to your account sync properly to avoid accidental deletions or inconsistencies in your library.

For more details on YouTube TV’s storage policies, refer to their official support page. If you’re also looking to manage other accounts or services, check out our guides on deleting episodes or YouTube TV FAQs.

Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting Episodes on YouTube TV

To delete episodes on YouTube TV, follow these steps:

Open the YouTube TV App: Launch the app on your device.
Go to the Library Tab: Navigate to the “Library” section where your recorded content is stored.
Select the Show or Episode: Find the show or episode you want to delete in your DVR recordings.
Remove the Episode:
- For individual episodes, select the episode and look for the “Remove from Library” or trash bin icon. Confirm the deletion if prompted.
- For entire series, select the show and choose “Manage” or “Delete Series” to remove all recorded episodes.

Alternatively, you can manage your recordings by visiting the YouTube TV website on a computer for a more detailed interface.

For more detailed guidance on managing recordings, you can refer to YouTube TV’s official support page.