YouTube Intensifies Promotion of Streaming Services for Users

YouTube is making some changes to its TV app that could make it easier for you to find new content to watch. According to a report from The Information, the app is getting a big redesign that will give it a look more similar to Netflix. This new design is expected to launch in the next few months and will feature paid content from a variety of streaming services right on the homepage.

Currently, YouTube allows you to discover shows and movies from services like Paramount Plus, Max, and Crunchyroll through its Primetime Channels feature, which was introduced in 2022. Similar to how Amazon’s Prime Video works, you can choose and subscribe to these third-party services through YouTube, with the platform taking a portion of the payment.

However, accessing this content has been a bit tricky, as it’s tucked away in the Movies and TV tab of the YouTube app. The Information notes that YouTube has also faced challenges in adding new services to its Primetime offering and integrating paid content into its homepage effectively.

To address these issues, YouTube is planning to showcase paid subscriptions right on the app’s homepage and is also giving creators the ability to organize their videos in seasons, similar to what they do on their channels. Additionally, users can expect previews of shows to play automatically. Kurt Wilms, YouTube’s senior director of product management, shared with The Information that the goal is for users to seamlessly navigate between content from Primetime Channels and creators.

Over the past year, YouTube has been making tweaks to its TV app, and last month, the company revealed that TVs have become the primary device for watching YouTube. As YouTube continues to evolve its platform, these changes aim to make it easier for users to find and enjoy the content they love.