YouTube TV announces plans to introduce customizable multiview

After introducing its multiview feature in 2023, YouTube TV is preparing to make a major change. Users will be able to customize them.

YouTube announced plans for the move, which coincides with the 20th anniversary of the company. It’s unclear when the change will take effect, although the announcement said it will happen “in the next few weeks.”

As a result, viewers will be able to pick which channels they can see in their double-, triple- or quad-boxes. It’s unclear if NFL Sunday Ticket will be part of the changes.

“In the next few weeks, YouTube TV members can experiment with building their own multiview with select non-sports content, starting with a small group of popular channels and expanding in the coming months,” YouTube said in a press release.

The multiview feature is popular among sports fans, who get the ability to watch multiple games at once. It’s also a crucial part of NFL Sunday Ticket, which YouTube acquired in 2023 after the contract with DirecTV ended. However, multiviews are currently preset, and users have to scroll through the list of options for which events they can watch at the same time.

In addition, YouTube TV said it plans to make some updates to its interface. It includes changes to navigation, as well as playback and other features.

“Get ready for a TV viewing upgrade this summer!” YouTube said. “Easier navigation, playback, quality tweaks, plus streamlined access to comments, channel info, and subscribing are heading to your screens.”

YouTube TV also recently went through a carriage dispute with Paramount just ahead of March Madness. If the channels – including CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV – were blacked out, fans would not have been able to watch the NCAA Tournament or The Masters, if the dispute went into April.

However, the two sides came to a deal and YouTube avoided losing those channels. That meant YouTube TV users could watch those marquee events as spring approached.

“Members, we’re happy to share that we’ve reached a deal to continue carrying Paramount content on YouTube TV,” YouTube TV said. “That means you still have access to channels like CBS, CBS Sports, and Nickelodeon. Add-ons like Paramount+ with SHOWTIME and BET+ also remain uninterrupted.

“With this agreement, YouTube TV will continue to offer 100+ channels, while enabling more user choice in the future. Thank you again for your patience, and as always, we appreciate your membership.”