YouTube announced today that it is making it easier for users to enjoy YouTube on TV by automatically pairing their devices.
“With the updated YouTube app for Android and Google TV rolling out today, you can play any video from your phone or tablet YouTube app on your TV with just one button,” a YouTube spokesperson tells WebProNews. “The feature will be coming to more devices and screens in the future, as we work to make YouTube the platform for the next generation of channels.”
“We’re making it even easier to play videos from your phone or tablet on your TV, with a YouTube app update for Android and Google TV that automatically pairs your devices on the same WiFi,” explains product manager Timbo Drayson. “Just find a video on your YouTube app for Android — like the latest video from GoPro or H+ The Digital Series — click the TV icon that appears, and the video will play instantly on your Google TV.”
“Like a remote control, you can pause, scroll or skip to the next video with your mobile device as it plays on your TV,” Drayson adds. “Since your devices are connected in the cloud, you can also do things like find the next video to watch from your tablet or browse around the web on your phone, all while the video plays on TV. You can even connect multiple devices to the TV to have your friends add to the playlist.”
Mobile currently makes up over 25% of YouTube total views, and that percentage is growing. The peak viewership of YouTube occurs during the evening primetime hours. That should bode well for YouTube’s emphasis on original content. Word is that they’re increasing their investment in this area. More on that here.