YouTube Channels Will Soon Give A Living-Room Nod To TV Tradition, Organizing Content By Seasons And Episodes

deadline.com:

YouTube has been increasing its share of total TV viewing time for years now, rising to nearly 11% in August, more than any streamer or linear programmer, according to Nielsen.

Now, the video giant’s connected-TV app will organize channel content accordingly. “To help our creators’ content shine on TVs, they will soon be able to organize their content into seasons and episodes, making it easy for viewers to tune into the new must see TV,” YouTube Chief Product Officer Johanna Voolich announced in a blog post. “We’re making other improvements to the TV experience with immersive content that plays directly from a creator’s channel, streamlined subscription options and easier access to links in descriptions.” Voolich’s post went live Wednesday as the company was convening its annual Made on YouTube event, which focuses on creators and various product enhancements aimed at boosting their work. “The living room has become a new frontier for creators who are increasingly crafting experiences designed specifically for the big screen,” Voolich wrote.

She noted a 30% year-over-year increase in the number of creators making a majority of their YouTube revenue on TV screens. Along with the living room upgrades, YouTube introduced a number of new features building on the AI tools it debuted at last year’s Made On event.

The company said it will improve its “Dream Screen” offering, which lets creators tap AI for graphics, backgrounds and other visuals by integrating Google DeepMind’s video generation model, Veo, into YouTube Shorts later this year.