YouTube has rolled out a suite of updates to its Smart TV and gaming console app, aimed at improving user experience and providing creators with deeper insights into viewership. The latest enhancements, announced this quarter, focus on making content discovery seamless, enhancing playback options, and offering creators a new analytics tool to track watch time across devices.
Streamlined Content Discovery
YouTube is introducing several new “shelves” to help users quickly access their favorite content. The “Continue your search” shelf displays the top three recent searches, allowing viewers to pick up where they left off. Music lovers will appreciate the “Listen again” shelf, which highlights previously searched and played songs, and the “Live performances, remixes, and covers” shelf, showcasing alternative versions of favorite tracks. For subscribers to YouTube’s Primetime Channels, a dedicated Primetime Channels shelf will feature recently searched and watched content. Additionally, the “From your top channels” shelf curates videos from a user’s most-watched YouTube channels.
The update also includes a Podcasts Tab in the library, enabling users to jump back into their favorite podcasts effortlessly. To improve navigation, YouTube has added a Shorts Row in the Watch Next Feed and a Shorts Shelf on the Subscriptions Tab, separating short-form content from long-form videos for a cleaner, more intuitive layout.
Enhanced Playback and Immersive Previews
YouTube is expanding its playback capabilities with a new Loop More Content feature. Previously limited to playlists, users can now loop any video-on-demand (VOD) content by selecting the “Loop” setting in the Playback Settings menu. This addition offers greater flexibility for viewers who want to repeat their favorite videos.
The platform has also upgraded its preview experience. Inline previews are now available on channel pages, subscription pages, and topics pages, giving users a quick glimpse of content before committing to watch. Additionally, YouTube has completed its rollout of Immersive Channel Previews, which feature fullscreen background previews on channel headers. This immersive design creates a more engaging entry point for viewers exploring a creator’s page.
New Analytics for Creators
For creators, YouTube has introduced a “Device Type” card in Studio Analytics, available on mobile and desktop. This tool breaks down watch time across four device types—mobile, computer, TV, and tablet—offering valuable insights into how audiences are consuming content. This data empowers creators to tailor their strategies to specific platforms and optimize their reach.
A More Personalized Experience
These updates reflect YouTube’s ongoing commitment to personalizing the viewing experience while supporting creators with actionable data. The new shelves and tabs make it easier for fans to find content they love, while the expanded looping and preview features enhance engagement. For creators, the “Device Type” card provides a clearer picture of audience behavior, helping them connect with viewers across devices.
As YouTube continues to refine its TV app, these changes are expected to strengthen its position as a leading platform for both viewers and content creators.
List of Changes:
- New Shelves:
- “Continue your search” shelf for top three recent searches.
- “Listen again” shelf for previously played music.
- “Live performances, remixes, and covers” shelf for alternative song versions.
- Primetime Channels shelf for subscribed users’ recent searches and watches.
- “From your top channels” shelf for most-watched YouTube channels.
- Podcasts Tab: Direct access to favorite podcasts from the library.
- Shorts Row and Shelf: Shorts separated from long-form videos in Watch Next Feed and Subscriptions Tab.
- Loop More Content: Loop any VOD content via Playback Settings.
- Improved Preview Experience:
- Inline previews on channel, subscription, and topics pages.
- Full rollout of Immersive Channel Previews with fullscreen background headers.
- “Device Type” Card: Studio Analytics tool showing watch time by mobile, computer, TV, and tablet.
You can find the full announcement HERE.
Please follow us onFacebookandXfor more news, tips, and reviews.Need cord cutting tech support? Join ourCord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Groupfor help. You can find Luke on X HERE.
