How to block channels on YouTube TV
You can block channels on YouTube TV so they stop appearing in your recommendations, search results, and the home feed. The process takes about 30 seconds and works on phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices. Once you block a channel, YouTube TV removes its content from your personalized suggestions, though you can unblock it anytime if you change your mind.
The blocking feature is useful if you want to hide channels you're not interested in, prevent certain content from showing up around other household members, or straightforward clean up your recommendations. Unlike removing a channel from your library or hiding it from your subscriptions list, blocking actually tells YouTube TV's algorithm to stop suggesting that channel's videos to you.
Key Takeaways
- You can block a channel directly from its page, from a video in your feed, or from your search results by clicking the three-dot menu and selecting "Block channel."
- Blocking a channel removes it from recommendations and search results but does not delete videos you've already watched or saved.
- You can view all blocked channels in your YouTube TV settings under "Blocked channels" and unblock any of them at any time.
- Blocking works across all devices signed into your YouTube TV account, so a channel blocked on your phone is also blocked on your TV.
Block a channel from its main page
The simplest way to block a channel is to visit the channel's main page and use the menu at the top. Open the channel you want to block, then look for the three vertical dots (the menu icon) near the channel name or subscribe button. Tap or click those dots to open a small menu.
From that menu, select "Block channel." YouTube TV will ask you to confirm—click or tap "Block" again to finish. The channel is now blocked, and its videos will stop appearing in your recommendations and search results.
Block a channel from a video in your feed
You don't have to visit a channel's main page to block it. If you see a video from that channel in your home feed, search results, or recommendations, you can block the channel right there. Hover over or long-press the video thumbnail until a three-dot menu appears in the corner.
Click or tap those three dots, then select "Block channel" from the menu. Confirm the block when prompted. This method is faster if you're scrolling through your feed and spot a channel you want to remove from your suggestions.
Block a channel while watching a video
If you're already watching a video and decide you want to block the channel, you can do it without leaving the video player. Look for the channel name at the top of the video description, or find the three-dot menu button on the video player itself (usually in the top right corner on TV, or next to the video title on mobile).
Tap or click the menu, then select "Block channel." Some devices show the block option directly next to the channel name. Once you confirm, the channel is blocked and you'll return to watching your video.
View and manage your blocked channels
YouTube TV keeps a list of all the channels you've blocked so you can review them or unblock any channel later. On a computer or phone, go to your YouTube TV account settings by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner, then select "Settings." Look for "Blocked channels" in the left menu.
You'll see a list of every channel you've blocked. To unblock a channel, click or tap the X next to its name, or select the channel and choose "Unblock." The channel will when ready start appearing in your recommendations and search results again. On a TV device, you can usually access blocked channels through the Settings menu as well, though the exact path varies by device.
What happens when you block a channel
Blocking a channel removes it from your recommendations, search results, and your home feed. YouTube TV stops suggesting that channel's videos to you. However, blocking does not delete any videos you've already watched, remove the channel from your watch history, or affect your subscriptions list if you were subscribed to it.
If someone else uses your YouTube TV account on a shared device, they will also see the channel blocked, since blocking applies to your entire account. If you want to block a channel only for certain household members, you may need to set up separate profiles or use YouTube TV's parental controls instead.
Unblock a channel you blocked by mistake
If you block a channel and then change your mind, unblocking is just as straightforward. Go to your YouTube TV settings, find "Blocked channels," and look for the channel you want to unblock. Click or tap the X next to it, or select it and choose "Unblock."
Once you unblock a channel, it will start appearing in your recommendations and search results again. There's no waiting period or limit to how many times you can block and unblock channels, so you can experiment without worry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does blocking a channel delete videos I've already watched from that channel?
No. Blocking a channel only stops it from appearing in your recommendations and search results. Videos you've already watched remain in your watch history, and any videos you've saved or added to playlists stay there.
If I block a channel, will the person who owns that channel know?
No. Blocking is private to your account. The channel owner has no way of knowing you've blocked their channel, and it doesn't affect their view counts or subscriber numbers.
Can I block a channel on my TV but not on my phone?
No. Blocking applies to your entire YouTube TV account across all devices. If you block a channel on your TV, it's also blocked on your phone, tablet, and computer. To block a channel for only one device or person, you would need to use a separate YouTube TV profile.
What's the difference between blocking a channel and unsubscribing from it?
Unsubscribing removes a channel from your subscriptions list, but you can still see its videos in search results and recommendations. Blocking removes the channel from recommendations and search results entirely. You can unsubscribe without blocking, or block without unsubscribing.
Can I block multiple channels at once?
No. YouTube TV requires you to block channels one at a time through the three-dot menu. However, the process is quick, so blocking several channels takes only a few minutes.