YouTube is enhancing the Connected TV (CTV) experience with five new features aimed at improving content quality, discovery, and shopping convenience on TV screens. This update responds to a 45% increase in YouTube channels earning six figures or more from TV screen revenue over the past year, highlighting the living room as a growing prime time for creators.
Stunning First Impressions
YouTube is expanding the thumbnail file size limit from 2MB to 50MB, enabling creators to use stunning 4K-resolution thumbnails. Larger video uploads are being tested to support higher quality originals. An AI-powered upscaling feature will automatically enhance videos uploaded below 1080p, converting them from SD to HD, with plans to support up to 4K. Creators retain full control over their content, with options to keep original files and opt out of enhancements. Viewers can still watch videos in their original resolution, with super resolution clearly labeled in settings.
Channeling the TV Experience
The update improves the overall channel experience by allowing viewers to browse favorite YouTube channels with immersive previews on the homepage, enhancing content discovery and engagement. A new Shows design helps creators organize videos into binge-worthy collections tailored for TV viewing. Additionally, contextual search on TVs now prioritizes videos from the creator’s channel when searching from that channel page, preventing relevant content from being lost among broader YouTube results.
From Couch to Cart
Shopping-related content on YouTube has seen 35 billion hours watched in the last year, with increasing viewership on TV screens. To capitalize on this, tagged shopping videos will soon feature QR codes that viewers can scan to instantly access product pages on their phones. YouTube is also testing the ability to highlight products at specific, timed moments within videos, making it easier for viewers to act on their shopping inspiration and helping creators drive conversions and grow their brands from the TV screen.
YouTube emphasizes that the TV screen is its fastest-growing surface and remains committed to delivering features that make creator content shine across all devices, ensuring content looks great no matter where it is viewed.
