YouTube has rolled out a new design and features that focus on helping users discover new content via channels and subscriptions.

Be guided by The Guide

YouTube announced the changes in a blog post late last week.

A major part of the revamp is the Guide feature, which was initially rolled out five years ago. YouTube thinks there's still life in the venerable Guide, which now emails users when new videos are posted to the channels they subscribe to.

The Guide is also now mobile, and will alert users to that new viral video via Android, iPhone, iPad, games consoles and Google TV.

Subscribing

YouTube wants to deliver viewers the content they want – an important step considering four billion hours of video are watched every month on the platform.

According to The Next Web, the number of users subscribing to channels has doubled this year, with YouTube predicting a 30 per cent rise in subscriptions for 2013.

Less is more

In addition to the new features, YouTube is now sporting a paired back, fresher look.

Videos are now larger and appear front and centre of the page, with subscribe and social sharing buttons underneath.

Guide playlists appear on the right hand side. 

Lights, camera, action

2012 has been an active year for YouTube. In October it began funding new content channels in Europe, and recently added an InVideo programing feature. 

Earlier this week it was revealed that YouTube has signed a landmark distribution deal with Virgin America.

While kittens and Gangnam-style may still be YouTube's most popular draw-cards, the Google-owned platform is clearly looking towards a future where curated content will keep users clicking. 

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