YouTube has announced some updates to its CTV app for smart TVs and Gaming Consoles, while it’s also added a new upload progress display in the main app, and additional caption customization options for Shorts in its latest round of app tweaks and changes.
First off, on CTV. YouTube’s announced a range of updates for its connected TV app for consoles and smart TVs, which will help to improve the UI for those watching on their home TV set.
Which, these days, is a lot of people, with YouTube being the most watched streaming service in the U.S., by a significant margin.
In order to enhance its CTV experience, YouTube’s adding a “Top channels” display, which will give viewers a quick link to the channels that they most commonly check out.
That’ll make it easier to get back to your favorite content, while it’s also adding a “Continue your search” shelf, that’ll display your top three most recent searches, so you can get back to them without having to re-type your query.
Which will be a very welcome update for anybody who’s ever had to type a complex search query via an Xbox controller, or worse, those arrow buttons on a TV remote. Now, you’ll have an alternative means to get back to your main interests, without having to manually enter each letter one-by-one.
Along the same line, YouTube’s also adding a “Listen again” shelf for music clips, as well as a “Live performances, remixes, and covers” section for those who regularly watch music content in the app.
Which is presumably a lot, given that YouTube’s making it a specific focus.
YouTube’s also adding a dedicated Podcasts Tab in the CTV app, to help people tap into their favorite pods.
Are people listening to podcasts on their TV sets?
Yes, in fact, according to Mondo Metrics, 30% to 40% of YouTube podcast views now come via CTV.
A lot of people are evidently interested in tuning into the latest podcast episodes from their living room, so this could be another significant update.
And finally, on CTV, YouTube’s also adding a new Shorts shelf to drive more Shorts viewing on TV sets.
On another front, YouTube’s also rolling out an updated display of video upload status on the channel page in the YouTube app.
As you can see in these examples, YouTube’s added new indicators to show where each of your uploads is at in the upload flow at any given time.
As explained by YouTube:
“Creators will see an uploading arrow, and percentage upload. Filter chips are located atop the channel page, allowing creators to change what videos are visible on their page, and not what viewers can see.”
YouTube says that this launch will only apply to YouTube main app on mobile and tablet devices.
YouTube’s also rolling out the ability to add and edit stylized captions to your Shorts on mobile.
With this, creators will now be able to edit their video captions, and reorganize and customize font and color to enhance the caption display.
Finally, YouTube’s also added some new search filters to the Playlist tab in the YouTube Studio mobile app, while it’s also added a new display of watch time device type in Studio analytics.
Some relevant tweaks and changes, mostly smaller updates, but some relevant notes for YouTube creators.