"YouTube has been streaming for 20 years, but it was only in the last couple that it came to dominate TV streaming. Google's video platform attracts more TV viewers than Netflix, Disney+, and all the other apps, and Google is looking to further beef up its big-screen appeal with a new raft of features, including shopping, immersive channel surfing, and an official version of the AI upscaling that had creators miffed a few months back."
"According to Google, YouTube's growth has translated into higher payouts. The number of channels earning more than $100,000 annually is up 45 percent in 2025 versus 2024. YouTube is now giving creators some tools to boost their appeal (and hopefully their income) on TV screens. Those elaborate video thumbnails featuring surprised, angry, smiley hosts are about to get even prettier with the new 50MB file size limit. That's up from a measly 2MB."
YouTube has become the leading TV streaming destination, drawing more viewers than major rivals and increasing creator payouts substantially. The number of channels earning over $100,000 rose 45 percent in 2025 versus 2024. New TV-focused features will include shopping, immersive channel surfing, and support for much larger thumbnail files (50MB up from 2MB). YouTube will automatically upscale lower-quality uploads to 1080p with plans for super resolution up to 4K, while preserving original files, offering opt-out controls for creators, and clearly labeling upscaled videos for viewers. Earlier testing prompted complaints about an artificial look.
Read at Ars Technica
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