How to Delete Recorded Shows on YouTube TV: Your Ultimate Guide

Deleting those old episodes of that show you binge-watched two years ago (and probably won’t watch again) on YouTube TV is crucial for keeping your library organized and manageable. It’s a straightforward process, thankfully, and this guide will walk you through it step-by-step, regardless of the device you’re using. We’ll also tackle some frequently asked questions to ensure you’re a true YouTube TV power user when it comes to managing your recordings.

Deleting Recordings: A Step-by-Step Guide

The beauty of YouTube TV is its accessibility across numerous platforms. While the interface might have subtle differences depending on your device, the core functionality remains the same. Here’s how to delete recordings on some of the most common devices:

On Your Computer (Web Browser)

1. Navigate to YouTube TV: Open your preferred web browser and go to tv.youtube.com.
2. Sign In: If you’re not already signed in, use your Google account credentials to log in.
3. Go to Your Library: In the top navigation bar, click on “Library.”
4. Select “Recordings”: Within the Library, choose the “Recordings” tab. This will display all the shows, movies, and events you’ve recorded.
5. Find the Show or Movie: Browse or use the search bar to locate the specific show or movie episode you want to delete.
6. Click on the Show/Episode: Click on the title of the show to access the list of recorded episodes. For movies, click on the movie title directly.
7. Manage Recording Options: You should see an option labeled “Manage”. Click that to reveal your options.
8. Delete Recording: The “Manage” option will open up a dropdown. Select the option to “Delete Recording”.
9. Confirm Deletion: A prompt will likely appear asking you to confirm that you want to delete the selected episode or movie. Click “Delete” to finalize the process.

On Your Mobile Device (Android & iOS)

1. Open the YouTube TV App: Launch the YouTube TV app on your Android or iOS device.
2. Tap “Library”: In the bottom navigation bar, tap the “Library” icon.
3. Select “Recordings”: Within the Library, tap on “Recordings” to view your recorded content.
4. Find the Show or Movie: Scroll through your recordings or use the search function to find the show or movie you wish to delete.
5. Tap on the Show/Episode: Tap the thumbnail of the episode or movie you want to delete.
6. Manage Recording Options: Tap “Manage”.
7. Delete Recording: Find the “Delete Recording” button and select it.
8. Confirm Deletion: A confirmation message may appear. Tap “Delete” to confirm the deletion.

On Your TV (Smart TVs, Streaming Devices)

The process is similar across most smart TVs and streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV.

1. Open the YouTube TV App: Launch the YouTube TV app on your TV.
2. Navigate to “Library”: Use your remote to navigate to the “Library” section on the main screen.
3. Select “Recordings”: Within the Library, select “Recordings” to see your saved content.
4. Find the Show or Movie: Browse through your recordings or use the search bar (if available) to find the program you want to delete.
5. Select the Show/Episode: Highlight the show or movie you want to remove and select it with your remote.
6. Manage Recording Options: Navigate to and select the “Manage” option.
7. Delete Recording: Use your remote to select the “Delete Recording” option.
8. Confirm Deletion: A confirmation prompt may appear. Confirm the deletion using your remote.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about deleting recordings on YouTube TV, designed to help you master the art of managing your DVR space and content.

FAQ 1: Does Deleting a Recording Free Up Storage Space?

Yes! One of the primary reasons to delete recordings is to free up space in your YouTube TV cloud DVR. YouTube TV offers unlimited DVR storage, but that doesn’t mean you should hoard everything. Getting rid of shows and movies you no longer need keeps your library clean and makes it easier to find what you do want to watch.

FAQ 2: Can I Recover a Deleted Recording?

Unfortunately, once you delete a recording on YouTube TV, it is permanently removed from your library and cannot be recovered. So, be absolutely sure before you click that “Delete” button! There’s no undo button here.

FAQ 3: How Do I Delete an Entire Series From My Recordings?

While you can’t delete an entire series with a single click, a quick workaround is to go into the series, and delete each episode individually by clicking the “Manage” and then “Delete Recording” options described earlier. You may also stop recording the show by removing it from your library.

FAQ 4: Will Deleting a Recording Affect My Recommendations?

Potentially, yes. YouTube TV’s recommendation algorithm learns from your viewing habits and preferences. Deleting a recording might signal to the algorithm that you’re no longer interested in that type of content, which could influence future recommendations.

FAQ 5: Is There a Way to Automatically Delete Recordings After a Certain Period?

Currently, YouTube TV does not offer a built-in feature to automatically delete recordings after a specific timeframe. You have to manually delete the episodes, which helps keep the service simple.

FAQ 6: Can Other Family Members Delete My Recordings on YouTube TV?

This depends on your family settings. If everyone is using the same YouTube TV account, anyone with access to the account can delete recordings. If you have created separate profiles within a YouTube TV family group, each person can manage their own recordings without affecting others.

FAQ 7: Why Can’t I Delete Certain Recordings?

In some rare cases, you might encounter recordings that you cannot delete immediately. This could be due to technical issues, processing delays, or restrictions imposed by the content provider. If this happens, try again later. If the problem persists, contact YouTube TV support.

FAQ 8: Does YouTube TV Ever Automatically Delete Recordings?

YouTube TV automatically deletes recordings after nine months from the date they were recorded, regardless of whether you’ve watched them or not. This policy ensures that storage space remains available for new recordings.

FAQ 9: How Can I Prevent YouTube TV From Recording Shows I Don’t Want?

The best way to prevent unwanted recordings is to avoid adding those shows or movies to your YouTube TV library in the first place. Also, be mindful of accidentally adding shows when browsing.

FAQ 10: Can I Delete Recordings While Watching Them?

Yes, you can delete a recording while you are actively watching it. Simply pause the playback, navigate to the recording options (often found by pressing a menu button on your remote or tapping the screen on your mobile device), and select “Delete Recording.”

FAQ 11: Are There Any Keyboard Shortcuts for Deleting Recordings on a Computer?

Unfortunately, YouTube TV doesn’t offer specific keyboard shortcuts for deleting recordings. You’ll need to use the mouse and click through the options as described above.

FAQ 12: If I Cancel My YouTube TV Subscription, What Happens to My Recordings?

When you cancel your YouTube TV subscription, all of your recorded content will be permanently deleted. So, if there are any shows or movies you want to keep, make sure to find alternative ways to access them before cancelling your subscription.

Deleting recordings on YouTube TV is a simple, but essential, process for managing your viewing experience. By following these steps and understanding these FAQs, you can keep your library organized and ensure you’re only holding on to the content you truly value. Happy watching (and deleting!).