YouTube rolls out improvements for Connected TV

title: "YouTube Enhances TV App With Playlist Shows, Podcasts, and Security Features"  
description: "YouTube introduces new TV app updates, including playlist-to-show conversions, dedicated podcast tabs, and account locking for CTV users. Over 700M podcast hours were streamed on YouTube TV in October."  
keywords: "YouTube, Connected TV, CTV updates, playlist shows, YouTube podcasts, like.tg"  

## YouTube Expands Connected TV Features With Major App Updates  

YouTube has rolled out significant updates to its TV app, reinforcing its focus on Connected TV (CTV) engagement—one of its fastest-growing content formats. The platform now enables creators to convert playlists into episodic shows, introduces dedicated podcast tabs, and enhances navigation tools for a more seamless viewing experience.  

### Playlists Transformed Into Binge-Worthy Shows  

Creators in the YouTube Partner Program can now designate high-quality playlists as "shows" in YouTube Studio. These playlists must feature consistent themes and stories across episodes to qualify. Once approved, the shows appear as immersive series with dedicated pages and organized seasons, mimicking traditional TV viewing.  

![YouTube CTV shows](https://imgproxy.divecdn.com/6TJRdGAlM1ZLkR-lmyJdItm2Hhf4u_VExWzy7lh2eN4/g:ce/rs:fit:1600:0/Z3M6Ly9kaXZlc2l0ZS1zdG9yYWdlL2RpdmVpbWFnZS95b3V0dWJlX3Nob3dzX0NUVi5wbmc=.webp "YouTube's new playlist-to-show feature for CTV")  

According to YouTube, this update aims to make binge-watching more intuitive for CTV users, who now consume over a billion hours of YouTube content on TVs daily.  

### Podcasts and Improved Navigation Tools  

Podcasts have emerged as an unexpected success on YouTube’s CTV platform. In October alone, users streamed more than 700 million hours of podcasts via TV sets, as reported by CNBC. To capitalize on this trend, YouTube has added dedicated **Show** and **Podcast** tabs to the Watch page, simplifying content discovery.  

Additional navigation upgrades include:  
- A new **Shorts access point** for quick video browsing.  
- Larger **Previous** and **Next** buttons to guide viewing behavior.  
- A **new releases shelf** on musician pages for easier access to fresh music content.  

![YouTube CTV UI](https://imgproxy.divecdn.com/vAyBLN8pdfhhthDi0hBzPAR-t8jyTGPxTh2qRDttr3w/g:ce/rs:fit:1600:0/Z3M6Ly9kaXZlc2l0ZS1zdG9yYWdlL2RpdmVpbWFnZS95b3V0dWJlX3Nob3dzX0NUVjIucG5n.webp "YouTube's redesigned CTV interface")  

### Enhanced Privacy and Parental Controls  

YouTube has also introduced security-focused updates:  
- **Account locking**: Users can secure their accounts with a 4-digit code to protect viewing history and recommendations.  
- **Parental controls**: Caregivers can set a separate 4-digit code to restrict kids from accessing YouTube in signed-out mode.  

![YouTube CTV lock](https://imgproxy.divecdn.com/5etoR7iHWVJLqb7hdCekppBlcMwEZYcb3SY4jGDyYpk/g:ce/rs:fit:1600:0/Z3M6Ly9kaXZlc2l0ZS1zdG9yYWdlL2RpdmVpbWFnZS95b3V0dWJlX3Nob3dzX0NUVjMucG5n.webp "YouTube's new account locking feature")  

Other improvements include a redesigned QR sign-in flow and an optimized casting experience for kids’ content.  

### Why CTV Matters for YouTube  

Connected TV remains a critical growth area for YouTube, with daily viewership exceeding one billion hours. These updates aim to foster longer, more engaged viewing sessions while catering to diverse content preferences—from episodic shows to podcasts and music.  

like.tg will continue monitoring YouTube’s evolving CTV strategy as the platform competes for dominance in the living room.