Google is quietly updating YouTube TV and its broader YouTube ecosystem with features that reshape how people watch live content. These changes focus on flexibility and ad formats, especially for users who spend hours following live events.
YouTube TV already offers a Multiview feature that lets users watch two, three, or even four channels at once. This option is useful during busy sports seasons. For example, viewers can follow multiple matches without switching channels. Earlier, Google limited this feature to “suggested” Multiview setups. The system automatically selected channel combinations for users.
Now, things are changing. Some users report a fully customizable Multiview option. This version allows users to select streams manually. In simple terms, viewers can now build their own split-screen experience. It is unclear why this flexibility was not available earlier. There may be technical reasons behind it. Handling multiple streams at once can be complex for both servers and devices.
Despite that, the update is rolling out. It does not depend on a specific app version. Instead, it is a server-side rollout. This means users may see it appear on their devices soon.
At the same time, according to the source, Google is testing a new ad format for YouTube live streams. This feature is called “side-by-side” ads. These ads appear at the bottom of the screen during a live stream. Instead of stopping the video, they mute the stream’s audio.
This approach tries to keep viewers engaged. Users can still watch the action while the ad plays. In some cases, this works well. However, audio is often important in live content. Without sound, the experience can feel incomplete.
Google is now expanding this format further. The company has started testing “side-by-side” ads on mobile devices as well. This move suggests a broader push to rethink how ads appear during live streams.
