YouTube is celebrating its 20th birthday with a fresh new look and exciting features, according to Gadgets360, Variety, and Reddit sources. The video giant, owned by Google, is changing how the screen looks when you watch videos by adding pill-shaped controls instead of the bottom gradient layer.
These changes will roll out globally starting April 2025, marking two decades since the first-ever YouTube video was filmed at San Diego Zoo by co-founder Jawed Karim.
YouTube’s Impressive Growth
The platform now hosts over 20 billion videos with 20 million new videos added every day. YouTube has grown from a simple video sharing site to become the largest TV content source in the United States, according to Nielsen ratings. Industry expert Michael Nathanson from MoffettNathanson predicts YouTube will become the top media company by revenue in 2025.
New Features Coming in 2025
The new changes include more than just looks. YouTube is adding personalized radio stations powered by artificial intelligence and faster playback speeds. The company is also adding fun hidden surprises (called Easter eggs) to celebrate the anniversary with a special logo.
Feature Rollout Timeline
- April 2025: New video player look and 4x playback speed for Premium users
- May 2025: YouTube TV Multiview for non-sports content (watching multiple videos at once)
- Summer 2025: TV app redesign with improved navigation
- Late 2025: Voice Replies feature for creators worldwide
YouTube’s Growing Business
| Year | Revenue | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $54.2 billion | Growing fast |
| 2025 (projected) | $75 billion | Expected to pass Disney ($59.7 billion) |
YouTube is testing these changes with different groups of users (called A/B testing) to see what works best. The new design draws inspiration from smart TV apps and aims to make playlist navigation easier. The company is also working to improve how ads are shown and how video recommendations work.
Mixed User Reactions
Not everyone loves the new look. Some users on Reddit praise the changes as modern and helpful, while others prefer the old design. YouTube’s TV app is getting a complete makeover with better navigation coming in summer 2025.
As YouTube turns 20, these changes show how the platform has transformed from a simple video site to a global entertainment giant. With projected revenue of $75 billion in 2025 and 12% of all TV viewership, YouTube’s birthday makeover represents not just a new look, but its evolution into the world’s dominant video and media platform.
