Charles EstherFor years, watching YouTube on a TV has often felt like an afterthought compared to the slick, polished experiences found on phones and web browsers.
Despite the platform’s dominance, the television version was clunky and uninspired, frustrating users who preferred the big screen.
However, that is now set to change dramatically.
TV Viewership Surpasses Mobile for YouTube in the US
Recent 2025 statistics reveal that TV has now overtaken mobile as the most popular way to watch YouTube in the United States.
This major shift is pushing YouTube to finally prioritize improving the TV experience.
During the celebrations of YouTube’s 20th anniversary this week, the company announced a “TV viewing upgrade” scheduled to roll out this summer.
What We Know About the Upcoming Redesign
Although full details remain under wraps, YouTube teased some exciting new features in a preview image shared publicly.
We can expect easier navigation, quality enhancements, and a better playback experience overall.
One particularly exciting promise is streamlined access to comments, channel information, and subscribing.
This could resolve some long-standing frustrations users have had with the current TV apps.
Fixing the Subscription Chaos on TV Apps
One of the most aggravating issues for TV viewers has been the confusing subscription management.
On platforms like Apple TV, Google TV, and Fire TV, subscription lists are no longer alphabetical.
Instead, YouTube shuffles them based on a mysterious “relevance” algorithm that often feels completely random.
Unlike on mobile, there is no easy way to change this ordering back to A-Z.
This inconsistency has frustrated many loyal users who enjoyed using their subscriptions list like an old-fashioned TV guide.
For example, quickly finding the latest videos from a favorite creator, like Trash Theory’s outstanding music essays, has become unnecessarily difficult.
While browser users can still manually re-order their subscriptions, this simple feature is missing from most TV apps.
Other Major Annoyances That Need Addressing
Beyond subscription chaos, another pain point for TV users is the increasingly aggressive ad experience.
Ads have become so frequent and disruptive that many feel forced into buying YouTube Premium just to watch in peace.
It is hoped that the redesign will balance the user experience better, offering enhancements without making ads even more unbearable.
Promising New Features – But Some Caution Needed
YouTube has hinted at some intriguing new additions, such as a “second screen experience” that lets you interact with TV videos via your phone.
While this could enhance engagement, users are wary that upgrades may come with strings attached.
YouTube has also been testing “pause ads,” a new format that shows ads when you pause a video – an idea many already dislike.
Google’s history suggests that any new features often come alongside new methods of monetization.
Nevertheless, if the TV redesign genuinely makes navigation smoother, improves search, and enhances playback without overwhelming users with ads, it will be a major win.
A Bright Future for YouTube on the Big Screen
With over one billion hours of YouTube content being watched on TVs daily, it is clear that the big screen matters more than ever.
If YouTube delivers on its promises, the TV app could finally feel as intuitive and enjoyable as the mobile experience.
For viewers like me, who primarily watch YouTube on TV, this update cannot come soon enough.
Conclusion
YouTube’s commitment to upgrading its TV experience marks an important milestone in its 20-year journey.
As long as the company listens to user feedback and avoids turning improvements into excuses for more intrusive ads, the future looks bright for YouTube on the biggest screen in your house.
