YouTube could begin AV2 web streaming in 2027
The codec promises around 30 percent better compression efficiency than AV1, but hardware support and rollout dates for apps remain uncertain.
YouTube could begin using the AV2 video codec for web streaming as early as 2027, potentially reducing the bandwidth needed to deliver video. No timetable has been announced for bringing it to YouTube’s mobile applications or smart TVs.
AV2 promises compression efficiency around 30 percent better than AV1. That could mean maintaining picture quality while lowering bitrates, or delivering better images without requiring more bandwidth. The codec also supports HDR, higher frame rates and multi-view video.
The Alliance for Open Media, or AOMedia, reported advances in adoption four months after completing the specification. YouTube Engineering Director Des Keane said AV1 availability already covered more than 90 percent of YouTube’s catalog when measured by watch time as of March 2026.
Google has demonstrated Chrome playing AV2 video but has not specified when stable browser versions will support it. Intel is developing the SVT-AV2 software implementation, while Meta has indicated plans to bring AV2 to Facebook and Instagram as part of its continued support for open codecs.
Broader adoption will partly hinge on hardware compatibility. Hardware acceleration could make playback more efficient, especially on mobile devices, but AOMedia has given no schedule for consumer CPU and GPU support.
