5 new features to help YouTube content shine on TV screens
Today, we’re rolling out new tools designed to make any YouTube content a premier viewing experience on TV.
Why now? Because the living room is increasingly the new prime time space for viewers to stream their favourite videos: in fact, Australian viewers rank YouTube as the number one platform for streaming video content, outperforming all others, according to recent Kantar research.
To fuel this momentum, we're making it easier for viewers to discover and shop, while giving creators 5 new ways to make their content look incredible on the big screen.
Stunning first impressions
First impressions are everything on the big screen. Soon, we’ll expand the thumbnail file limit from 2MB to 50MB, allowing us to generate and serve new, stunning 4K-resolution thumbnails for creators’ videos. We’ve begun testing larger video uploads with select creators as well to enable even higher quality original uploads.
We’re also introducing a new AI-powered feature that automatically generates higher resolutions for videos. We’re starting with videos uploaded below 1080p, upscaling them from SD to HD, with the goal to support resolutions up to 4K in the near future. Viewers will still be able to watch creators’ videos in the original uploaded resolution, as super resolution will be clearly labeled under settings. And creators will retain complete control over their library, as both original files and original video resolution will be kept intact, with a clear option to opt-out of these enhancements.
Channeling the TV experience
It’s not just about the quality of individual videos, it’s about the entire channel experience. Viewers will be able to see and flip through their favourite YouTube channels with immersive previews on the homepage, enhancing content discovery and engagement. And our latest Shows design helps creators organise their videos into binge-worthy collections for the living room.
The new immersive viewing experience on YouTube
We’ve also updated how content gets discovered with contextual search on TVs. When a viewer initiates a search from a creator’s channel page, they will now see videos from the channel prioritised at the top of the results instead of getting lost in content from across all of YouTube.
Search from a creator's page and see their videos first
From couch to cart
Over the last 12 months, viewers watched 35B hours of shopping related videos on YouTube, with a growing amount happening in the living room. Soon, on tagged shopping videos, viewers will be able to scan a shopping QR code to instantly open the product page on their phone. To make this experience even more powerful, we’re starting to test the ability to feature products at specific, timed moments within videos.
By removing extra steps and catching the viewer’s interest at the most relevant time, we're making it easier for viewers to act on their inspiration, helping creators drive conversions and grow their brands from the biggest screen in the home.
The TV screen is our fastest-growing surface, and we remain committed to delivering features that make the viewing experience even better, and help creator content shine. Because that's the beauty of YouTube: film and upload once, and we'll ensure content looks great on any screen.
