YouTube reportedly planning a major revamp of its TV app

YouTube said it is planning a major revamp of its connected TV app, adding new functionality and an entirely new look, according to an exclusive from The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday.

The company at its New York event reportedly said its new TV app has a number of updated features, including some that could change how some creators categorize their videos by enabling them to organize shows around episodes and seasons, mirroring what viewers have come to expect on subscription video platforms.

It is rolling out “immersive previews,” a cinematic video trailer that will automatically play when a user navigates to a creator’s page, the report said.

The report said YouTube will also roll out features meant to help creators grow their businesses, including a simpler and more prominent subscribe functionality on the TV app while videos are playing and a feature that generates QR codes from links in video descriptions.

YouTube says that its immersive previews, QR code links, and new subscribe functionality will be released this year, with the episodic and season functionality rolling out gradually beginning in 2025.