Youtube Redesign On A Large Scale And Emphasis On Content Channels

On the redesigned homepage, unveiled Thursday, channels now occupy the wide, middle column. Just a few weeks ago, the new YouTube makeover was leaked, giving us another look at Google’s long-term plans of taking the site from amateur hour to professional platform. Recommended videos can be found at the right and one's profile and other popular channels are on the left.

The overall theme Google seems to be going for is less like the Internet, more like TV and hopefully it will strike the perfect chord in between these two mediums. In its ongoing bid to lure TV viewers online, YouTube has redesigned its homepage to emphasize channels.

Does anyone remember what the site’s homepage used to look like? The focus was predominantly on videos: recently uploaded videos, the most played videos, sponsored videos. Why channels? Google's streaming site recently announced a series of high-profile content partners in October, from Jay-Z to Amy Poehler to Ashton Kutcher.

The first thing you see upon logging in are the channels you’re subscribed to, your right-hand navigation sidebar, and the videos that are recommended to you. This new venture involves the creation of about 100 channels of original, professional content.

The channels one subscribes to are in the middle and other popular options are on the left, sorted by category. Those who consistently use the platform to create and share content and really involve themselves in the community aspects of the site will benefit from these improvements. As channels like "Car and Driver Television" debut and attract a following, this redesign will make it even easier to find them.

Rather than have users come, click on a video or two and leave as the old design encouraged users may be more tempted to stick around if they load up on all the content of a few channels. Users can also link other social networking sites, like Google+ and Facebook. The latter is more integrated into YouTube as a result of the redesign, as is Facebook.

The new redesign is inarguably polished thanks to the Cosmic Panda upgrade we saw earlier this year. Channels aren't the only reason for the redesign though. Google has been in an extreme makeover mood, redesigning Gmail, Google Reader and launching Google+ this summer. Will this lead to higher quality, more professional content? That remains to be seen. But cutting down on clutter and retooling the UI to focus on channels definitely translate well to TV-viewing habits.