Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
- YouTube has announced that it plans to roll out AV2 to the platform in early 2027.
- The AV2 codec will initially launch for the web version of YouTube.
- The company also hints at benefits for multi-view experiences.
Earlier this year, the Alliance for Open Media released the definitive specs for the AV2 codec, which is expected to be about 25% to 32% more efficient than AV1. That means you get higher-quality streaming for the same bitrate or comparable quality at a lower bitrate. The benefit is that the codec can reduce the amount of bandwidth you’re consuming. YouTube is expected to adopt AV2, and it could arrive sooner than you would expect.
While partners like Netflix, Amazon, and Apple have been quiet on rollout plans, it appears that YouTube isn’t quite as shy. According to FlatpanelsHD, YouTube has revealed that it is looking to roll out the codec in early 2027. The plan is to initially launch AV2 for the web version of the platform.