Some users of the YouTube TV app have recently noticed a few small changes. The company has changed the launch screen by adding a signature sound and animation, and some users can now see comments next to the video. Although the home screen is visible to everyone, the comments are probably under testing.
The YouTube TV app now has official sound and animation, which will likely be added to other apps as well. To create a recognizable and vibrant sound, the company engaged sonic branding studio Antfood. While you may think of it as a simple three-second clip, YouTube has described the sound as the epitome of the platform's philosophy. According to the developers, this tune is a symbol of the service's irresistible gravitational pull and how it helps you explore what you love. These are rich tones that go into a major seventh chord.
If the new animation and sound is the official and final change, the comments were noticed by users. Probably, the developers are just testing this feature. At the moment, you can see the comment block to the right of the video. In the TV app, discussions are read-only. If you want, the discussion panel can be toggled off or on.
Although the recent changes do not seem like something global to users, they are of great importance for the development of the platform. In the case of the audio snippet, YouTube most likely wants to repeat the success of Netflix with its recognizable 'tudum'. The static logo is famous, but YouTube hasn't had its own sound yet. Comments are often just as interesting as the content itself, and developers know this. Thus, adding this feature to the TV app will positively affect the actual viewing experience, and accordingly, can increase advertising revenue.
Do you need the ability to comment on videos while watching on the big screen? Share your opinion in the comments.