The YouTube app for TVs, including Google TV, is rolling out a new side menu design that makes it easier to access your library while also showcasing some of your recently watched channels. This new design for the YouTube side menu on TV is a relatively small but welcome upgrade.
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The existing side menu has shortcuts for Search, Home, Music, Movies & TV, Podcasts, Subscriptions, Library, and a “More” overflow tab, with a Settings at the end. It works, but it requires a lot of clicks to get to Subscriptions and Library , which are two of the most used sections.
The new side menu keeps Search and Home at the top, but adds a new section below that includes Subscriptions and Library, along with two direct channel shortcuts. It's unclear whether these are recently viewed, recently subscribed, or just algorithmically determined channels. They appear in the side menu even when it's in a collapsed state.
Below these, there are shortcuts for News, Live, Podcasts, Music, Gaming, and Sports, but this seems to change depending on your TV. A Settings button remains at the bottom.
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This UI update appears to be a server-side change. One reader noticed the update on their Google TV, while another spotted it on a Samsung TV.
The revamped side menu of the YouTube TV app offers a more user-friendly experience, making it easier to navigate to the most important sections of the app. The addition of direct shortcuts for Subscriptions and Library is especially useful for those who use these features frequently. Additionally, the presence of recently watched channels in the side menu allows users to quickly return to the content they are interested in.
This change is part of YouTube's ongoing effort to improve the user experience on its platforms, taking into account the needs and preferences of users. The ability to customize the side menu according to the user's TV shows the flexibility of the application and its adaptability to different devices.
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It's important to note that while this change may seem small, it has the potential to significantly improve the daily use of the YouTube app on TV, making it more accessible and user-friendly. Users can expect more such improvements in the future as YouTube continues to invest in developing and improving its services.
