YouTube refreshes TV app design

New-look player promises smoother navigation on big screens; viewers complain of glitches

YouTube has begun rolling out a redesigned video player for its TV apps, adding new playback controls and interface tweaks that promise easier navigation on large screens but have immediately divided opinion among viewers already used to the old layout.

The update, previewed during YouTube's 20th anniversary earlier this year, introduces on-screen play, pause and skip buttons, a permanently visible Subscribe option, and extra viewing tools including multiview for live sports and display controls for Premium users.

YouTube says the redesign is meant to streamline the experience and reduce the number of menus users must click through. Early feedback, however, suggests the changes are proving far from seamless for some households and devices.

Several users have reported technical problems following the update. Steve Kaufman posted that "YouTube on Samsung Smart TV is just playing grey," saying he had already tried unplugging the set and reinstalling the app, while confirming that rival platforms were still working normally.

Another user, Signius, voiced similar frustration, writing: "Not impressed with the latest update to the YouTube app on my Samsung TV… loads of videos glitching that never did before," adding that the software now repeatedly demanded reconnection.

Beyond reliability concerns, some viewers simply dislike the new look. LaxerFL complained: "I HATE the new UI layout. Please allow me to use the original, totally fine for years UI! I have it memorised!" reflecting a broader resistance to visual change.

Others have called for stronger content controls rather than cosmetic updates. Ashish Nimrot urged YouTube to add a permanent "Disable Shorts" option on TV apps, arguing that the short-form feed encourages compulsive scrolling and is unsuitable for shared family screens.

Despite the backlash, the updated player is being rolled out across devices including Google TV Streamer and Apple TV, with YouTube expected to monitor feedback and quietly refine any rough edges as the deployment widens.

As the redesign reaches more viewers, it underlines the tightrope facing tech platforms that depend on familiarity yet continually reshape interfaces, often pushing loyal users to relearn habits that once felt effortless on their living-room screens.