New Delhi: YouTube is undergoing significant changes to enhance its user experience on smart TVs and drawing inspiration from popular streaming services like Netflix, here’s a detailed overview of the developments.
A fresh look for smart TVs
YouTube is testing a new design for smart TVs that feels a lot like Netflix, want to know about the goal? To make it easier to find and subscribe to paid content from other streaming services, right from YouTube’s home screen, that delves into the retrospect to its identity.
Right now, YouTube already offers “Primetime Channels” in some countries, where users can subscribe to services like Max, Paramount+, and Crunchyroll. But it’s been a while since YouTube expanded this feature.
Kurt Wilms, YouTube’s Senior Director of Product Management, shared that the company wants to mix everything seamlessly, whether it’s content from YouTube creators or a third-party service. This means you might start seeing previews of paid content with auto playing teasers on YouTube’s home screen soon, the exact launch date isn’t confirmed yet but it should roll out in the next few months.
Taking notes from other streaming apps
Other platforms, like Prime Video, already do something similar, letting users subscribe to third-party services directly in the app. YouTube seems to be heading in the same direction to make it easier for users to explore and watch different content without jumping between apps.
Easier account switching on Android TVs
Another big update is coming for people who use YouTube on Android TV. Right now, switching accounts is a bit of a hassle, you have to go through multiple menus, which isn’t ideal, especially on shared TVs.
YouTube is rolling out a new account-switching feature that lets users pick their profile as soon as they open the app, just like Netflix. This will make it easier and faster to switch between accounts without messing with system-wide Google sign-ins. It’s also a big win for security, as accounts will be kept separate within the YouTube app itself.
With over 270 million active Google TV and Android TV users, this change will make a huge difference in making YouTube smoother and more user-friendly.
