YouTube TV planning to up picture quality to 1080p

YouTube is planning to improve the picture quality of its premium YouTube TV offering in the coming weeks. The Google-owned video platform has revealed that it is “testing transcoding changes” including a bitrate increase for live 1080p content, a significant change from the current standard 720p resolution for most content.

The higher bitrate stream will target devices that support the VP9 codec with high-speed internet connections. YouTube said that if the tests went well, it would make the change permanent over the summer.

While the majority of YouTube TV’s content is delivered in 720p currently, content on some channels is delivered with a higher resolution. However, the platform has suffered by comparison with other streaming TV services in the US with regards to picture quality, an increasingly important factor in influencing customer loyalty as viewing moves to large-screen connected TVs.

Among other features YouTube is testing is Multiview. The platform said it would work to improve this new feature ahead of the NFL season in the US. YouTube owns rights to the Sunday Ticket NFL games, seen as a major selling point for YouTube TV over the coming months.

YouTube signed a US$14 billion, seven-year deal to secure control of US rights to the NFL’s Sunday ticket – held by DirecTV since 1994 – at the end of last year. Until news of the deal broke in December, Apple had been considered the front-runner.