Building YouTube Experiences with our device partners across the globe
Feb 12, 2024 – minute read
Twelve hours before showtime, presenters from across YouTube teams arrived at the Intercontinental COEX in Seoul, South Korea for a rehearsal. Cameras were in place, stage lights adjusted, and the "YouTube Device Partner Summit" logo shone brightly on the screen. The excitement was palpable as we prepared to host over 500 in-person and virtual attendees across 37 countries and 100 companies around the world. These attendees were instrumental in working with us to integrate the YouTube experience on their devices, ranging from soundbars and streaming sticks to set-top boxes and high-end TVs.
Behind the scenes, a question lingered: Could we flawlessly execute an event of this scale, planned over 5,000 miles away in San Bruno, California? Logistical hurdles and unexpected technical hiccups added a layer of thrilling uncertainty. Yet, fueled by a passionate ambition to create a truly collaborative partner experience, we overcame every challenge: The 2023 Summit was an undeniable success, uniting partners for impactful knowledge-sharing and a celebration of innovation.
Ready for round three!
We're thrilled to announce that on April 23-24, 2024, the YouTube Device Partner Summit returns to Seoul, South Korea! Our third annual event promises two full days of dynamic content, including:
The YouTube Device Partner Summit returns to Seoul, South Korea on April 23-24, 2024!
- YouTube product and user experience overviews
- Technical requirements walkthroughs
- Deep dives into certification policies, tooling, and UX guidelines
- Collaborative presentations with device and content partners
- Special announcements about upcoming innovations and programs
- Accessibility as a fundamental aspect of making a successful platform
We’re building our summit around three core principles to help focus discussions and create opportunities to collaborate:
- Inclusive: Empowering all roles, regions, and industry players to thrive in the ecosystem.
- Collaborative: Fostering openness and transparency for greater cross-company alignment.
- Insightful: Delivering actionable insights that drive positive impact for the industry and our shared users.
DOPE team members (L-R): Lam Bui, Sumant Lohiya, Catherine Chang
Introducing the DOPE team
Why is this gathering so vital? Connected TV (CTV) remains the fastest growing platform for YouTube in multiple countries around the world, with viewers consuming 1 billion hours on average of YouTube content on their TVs every day. The global Smart Connected TV market is projected to reach $113 billion by 2026. Thus the evolving landscape demands adaptability and scalability.
The Device Operations and Partner Engineering (also known as DOPE — clever, huh?) team at YouTube hold a steadfast belief: everyone should have access to an amazing user experience with the world's most popular video platform, regardless of the device they use. To do this, we are constantly working to expand the reach of YouTube on new devices and platforms. We collaborate with the companies who make your favorite devices (like our great partners listed here), as well as those who help design their internal systems. This collaborative industry effort helps ensure a smooth and enjoyable YouTube experience on your smart TVs, streaming devices, and more. DOPE works daily with our engineering counterparts at these companies, as well as internal YouTube teams, to validate new features such as Multiview, AV1, and Voice, through testing, measurement, and triaging.
Get ready for April 2024
The 2024 YouTube Device Partner Summit awaits, and we extend a warm invitation to all our device partners. Join us in Seoul for an unforgettable experience of learning, networking, and shaping the future of connected viewing.