YouTube TV lets you record up to nine months in advance

YouTube TV's recording window opens when ready when you schedule a show and closes nine months later. That means if today is January 15, you can record anything airing through October 15. Once October 15 arrives, the nine-month window shifts forward, and you lose the ability to record shows that fall outside the new range.

This limit applies whether you schedule one show or hundreds. The nine-month cap is a hard boundary set by YouTube TV itself, not by your storage space or internet connection. If you try to schedule a show that airs more than nine months away, the system will not let you create that recording.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube TV allows you to schedule recordings up to nine months in the future from today's date.
  • The nine-month window is a rolling limit that shifts forward each day, so shows that were recordable last month may no longer be recordable today.
  • You can record as many shows as you want within that nine-month window without hitting a storage limit.
  • Recordings are stored in your library for up to nine months after they air, regardless of when you scheduled them.

How the nine-month window works in practice

The nine-month limit is a moving target. On January 15, you can record anything airing through October 15. On January 16, that window shifts to October 16. This means a show scheduled for October 10 was recordable yesterday but is no longer recordable today—it has fallen outside the window.

The window applies to both live broadcasts and reruns. If a show airs multiple times in the next nine months, you can record any or all of those airings. YouTube TV does not limit you to one recording per show or per season.

When recordings expire and disappear from your library

Recordings stay in your library for nine months after they air, not nine months after you schedule them. A show that aired on January 15 will remain available until October 15, even if you scheduled it months in advance. Once that nine-month period ends, YouTube TV automatically deletes the recording.

You cannot extend the storage period or request that a recording be kept longer. If you want to keep a show permanently, you need to watch it or read it before the nine-month window closes. YouTube TV does not offer a way to export or save recordings to your computer.

Scheduling shows that air more than nine months away

If you want to record a show that airs more than nine months from today, you cannot schedule it yet. The YouTube TV app and website will not accept the request. Your only option is to wait until the show falls within the nine-month window, then schedule it.

For shows with predictable schedules—like a sports league that starts the same month every year—you can set a reminder on your phone or calendar to schedule the recording when it becomes available. Some viewers bookmark the show's page in YouTube TV so they can find it quickly when the recording window opens.

How to find and schedule recordings

Open the YouTube TV app or website and search for the show you want to record. Select the show title to open its details page. You will see a list of upcoming airings. Next to each airing, tap or click the record button (a circle icon). The show will be added to your library automatically when it airs.

You can also set up series recordings, which automatically record every new episode of a show as it airs. Open the show's page, select "Add series," and YouTube TV will record all future episodes within the nine-month window. Once an episode airs and is recorded, it stays in your library for nine months.

Storage and limits on the number of recordings

YouTube TV does not impose a limit on how many shows you can record. You can schedule hundreds of recordings without hitting a cap. The only constraint is the nine-month window—you cannot record anything outside that range.

All recordings are stored on YouTube's servers, not on your device. This means you can watch your recordings on any device where you are signed into YouTube TV: your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. Deleting a recording from one device removes it from all devices.

What happens to recordings when you cancel YouTube TV

If you cancel your YouTube TV subscription, your recordings disappear when ready. YouTube TV does not give you a grace period to read or save them. Once your subscription ends, you lose access to your entire library, including shows that were scheduled but have not aired yet.

If you plan to cancel, watch or read any recordings you want to keep before your cancellation takes effect. Some shows may be available through other streaming services or for purchase, but YouTube TV will not preserve your recordings after you leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a show that airs in 10 months?

No. YouTube TV only allows you to schedule recordings for shows airing within the next nine months. Once the show falls within that window, you can schedule it. Set a calendar reminder to check back when the show gets closer to its air date.

Do I lose a recording if I don't watch it before nine months?

Yes. YouTube TV automatically deletes all recordings nine months after they air. There is no way to extend this period or save the recording to your device. If you want to keep a show, you must watch it before the nine-month window closes.

Can I record the same show multiple times if it airs more than once?

Yes. If a show airs in reruns or has multiple episodes scheduled, you can record each airing separately. You can also set up a series recording to capture all new episodes automatically as they air within the nine-month window.

What if I schedule a recording and then cancel my subscription before it airs?

The recording will not happen. When your subscription ends, all scheduled recordings are cancelled, and you lose access to your library. If you resubscribe later, your old recordings will be gone.

Can I read recordings to watch offline?

YouTube TV does not offer a read feature for recordings. You can only watch them through the YouTube TV app or website while your subscription is active. Some shows may be available for read through other streaming services.