YouTube is changing how viewers watch on the big screen. In its biggest connected-TV redesign in over a decade, the platform is shifting from a grid of thumbnails to a curated, Netflix-like interface that organizes creator content into shows, seasons, and episodes.

YouTube’s Senior Director of Product Management, Kurt Wilms, told The Verge that the new layout gives creators “a way to package their videos as bingeable series.” Viewers can move seamlessly from episode to episode on a creator’s channel and pick up where they left off. This mirrors how Netflix and Disney+ structure their shows.

The shift from feed to TV experience

For years, YouTube’s connected TV (CTV) app looked like a stretched-out version of its mobile feed. The new layout borrows from streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+, featuring cinematic visuals, structured playlists, and a “continue watching” flow that treats creator uploads like TV episodes.

The redesign introduces a “Shows” feature that packages related videos together, a “continue watching” section, and full-screen channel previews that mimic channel surfing. The updated YouTube homepage now features previews that let users flip through popular channels, offering short snippets before deciding what to watch. Instead of random thumbnails, viewers see banner images highlighting popular creators or shows. 

4K thumbnails and AI upscaling mark major technical upgrades

For the first time in over ten years, YouTube is changing how video thumbnails work. Previously, creators were limited to 2MB uploads, which were automatically compressed to 720p. The new system allows uploads up to 50MB in full 4K resolution, letting creators present sharper visuals. 

The platform is also adding an AI-powered upscaling tool that automatically converts lower-resolution videos to full HD. This could give older videos a second life on modern 4K screens. According to YouTube, 4K uploads have increased by 35% year-over-year as more creators embrace high-resolution storytelling.

Why the living room now matters

Alphabet’s Q3 2025 earnings offer the clearest clue, with YouTube’s ad revenue jumping 16% year-over-year to $10 billion. While Shorts and AI tools continue to attract mobile engagement, YouTube’s fastest-growing surface is television. The platform has consistently led U.S. streaming charts for over a year, accounting for 12.6% of all TV consumption in the country. CTV watch time now accounts for nearly 40% of total YouTube viewing in the U.S.

This scale puts YouTube neck-and-neck with traditional streaming networks. Every tweak to the platform’s interface strengthens its position as it competes directly with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video for TV screen time.

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