YouTube gets new player with more interactivity in app for smart TVs

YouTube announced that a new feature will be coming this Wednesday (13). New video player version for smart TVs and streaming devices that promises to bring more interactivity to viewersmakes it easier to access comments and other popular functions. The redesign will be released in the coming weeks.

In the new version, the user will be able to: View video comments and descriptions in the sidebar while watching content uninterrupted. In the same area of ​​the screen, channel names and details, links to more videos, live chat, etc. Other information about that material, such as, will be displayed.

The way to access the interactive features of Google’s video platform will remain the same; Just click on the title of the content displayed above the play buttons. By doing this, The size of the player will be reduced by approximately two-thirds, making room for the sidebar to appear.

Although subtle, this change can significantly improve engagement. Video overlaps when opening description and comments section in current YouTube TV playermakes the content difficult to view. According to Google, the update responds to numerous requests from viewers.

Growing user base

Often associated with viewing on mobile phones, tablets and PCs, YouTube is gaining more and more users with its version for TVs. Nielsen, an expert on audience metrics, explained in February: video platform becomes the most-watched broadcast on smart TVs in the United States in 2023It leaves Netflix and other major competitors behind.

The survey also showed that big screens represented 45% of YouTube viewing time in the North American market last year; this rate was below 30% in 2020. Right now, platform transmits More than 1 billion hours of video per day on television.

Faced with such a large audience, the service has sought to improve the user experience over the past few months, announcing a number of improvements to the app for TVs and streaming players. Much of it is based on user feedback, as the search giant explains.