YouTube’s biggest redesign in years is coming to TVs
In line with a broader refresh across its apps, YouTube is extending its latest design language to smart TVs. The update aims to simplify how viewers discover and enjoy videos from the living room, aligning the TV experience with changes already rolled out on mobile and desktop.
The new TV interface emphasizes clarity and easier navigation, featuring a cleaner aesthetic and reworked targets optimized for remote control usage.
A fresh layout that puts content and controls where you expect them
The video title shifts toward the upper portion of the screen, creating a clear separation from playback controls. The interface is organized into three main zones: a left rail for channel details—including the name, a brief description, and a clearly visible subscribe button; a central area dedicated to playback controls (previous, play/pause, and next); and a right-hand panel housing engagement and settings such as likes, dislikes, comments, captions, and system options.
One notable refinement is the subscribe call-to-action, which remains constantly accessible, with the system adapting to gated content and offering a “Notify Me” option for upcoming live streams. Live sports content also gains support for multiple simultaneous views, and Premium subscribers receive a dedicated Display Mode to tailor the viewing experience on larger screens.
Subtle improvements that change the way you watch
Although the changes are understated, they improve interaction with the TV app’s controls, making navigation smoother and reducing accidental presses when scrolling through menus.
The rollout aligns TV UI with the design language introduced across other platforms, fostering a unified look and feel no matter where you watch. Alongside these layout tweaks, playback and performance enhancements have rolled out on other devices, underscoring YouTube’s push toward a more versatile viewing experience on big screens.
What this could mean for the living room
These updates position YouTube for a more flexible viewing experience tonight, with easier access to creator channels and engagement features, plus richer live-event options. Expect further refinements as the company tunes the experience based on user feedback and device capabilities across platforms.
To experience the revamp, users can apply the latest app updates on TVs, with similar updates available on mobile devices for a cohesive, cross-device experience.
