Release 2026.01.31

Created by: bashonly

:ci skip all

.github/workflows/challenge-tests.yml

@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ concurrency:
 jobs:
   tests:
     name: Challenge Tests
+    if: ${{ !contains(github.event.head_commit.message, ':ci skip') }}
     permissions:
       contents: read
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}

.github/workflows/core.yml

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ concurrency:
 jobs:
   tests:
     name: Core Tests
-    if: ${{ !contains(github.event.head_commit.message, 'ci skip') }}
+    if: ${{ !contains(github.event.head_commit.message, ':ci skip') }}
     permissions:
       contents: read
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}

.github/workflows/quick-test.yml

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ concurrency:
 jobs:
   tests:
     name: Core Test
-    if: ${{ !contains(github.event.head_commit.message, 'ci skip all') }}
+    if: ${{ !contains(github.event.head_commit.message, ':ci skip all') }}
     permissions:
       contents: read
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ jobs:
         python3 ./devscripts/run_tests.py --pytest-args '--reruns 2 --reruns-delay 3.0' core
   check:
     name: Code check
-    if: ${{ !contains(github.event.head_commit.message, 'ci skip all') }}
+    if: ${{ !contains(github.event.head_commit.message, ':ci skip all') }}
     permissions:
       contents: read
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest

CONTRIBUTORS

@@ -862,3 +862,5 @@ quietvoid
 romainreignier
 Sytm
 zahlman
+azdlonky
+thematuu

Changelog.md

@@ -4,6 +4,20 @@
 # To create a release, dispatch the https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/actions/workflows/release.yml workflow on master
 -->
 
+### 2026.01.31
+
+#### Extractor changes
+- **soop**: [Support subscription-only VODs](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/commit/d0bf3d0fc3455d411ae44c0a5dc974dd1481e3aa) ([#15523](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/issues/15523)) by [thematuu](https://github.com/thematuu)
+- **unsupported**: [Update unsupported URLs](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/commit/bf5d8c2a663ac690711262aebc733c1b06a54b26) ([#15410](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/issues/15410)) by [bashonly](https://github.com/bashonly)
+- **whyp**: [Extract more metadata](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/commit/0d8ee637e83d62edaf22aa85833a51c70d560389) ([#15757](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/issues/15757)) by [azdlonky](https://github.com/azdlonky)
+- **youtube**
+    - [Add `web_embedded` fallback for `android_vr` client](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/commit/bb1c05752c288a81e0e281f1caf5395411936376) ([#15785](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/issues/15785)) by [bashonly](https://github.com/bashonly)
+    - [Remove broken `ios_downgraded` player client](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/commit/c3674575faa23b20e97be8b73f68b9f7b4cea9ab) ([#15786](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/issues/15786)) by [bashonly](https://github.com/bashonly)
+    - [Remove broken `tv_embedded` player client](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/commit/8eb794366eb69e7377ff88eed7929c00195c8d74) ([#15787](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/issues/15787)) by [bashonly](https://github.com/bashonly)
+
+#### Misc. changes
+- **cleanup**: Miscellaneous: [9a9a6b6](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/commit/9a9a6b6fe44a30458c1754ef064f354f04a84004) by [bashonly](https://github.com/bashonly)
+
 ### 2026.01.29
 
 #### Core changes

README.md

@@ -1860,7 +1860,7 @@ The following extractors use this feature:
 #### youtube
 * `lang`: Prefer translated metadata (`title`, `description` etc) of this language code (case-sensitive). By default, the video primary language metadata is preferred, with a fallback to `en` translated. See [youtube/_base.py](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/blob/415b4c9f955b1a0391204bd24a7132590e7b3bdb/yt_dlp/extractor/youtube/_base.py#L402-L409) for the list of supported content language codes
 * `skip`: One or more of `hls`, `dash` or `translated_subs` to skip extraction of the m3u8 manifests, dash manifests and [auto-translated subtitles](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/issues/4090#issuecomment-1158102032) respectively
-* `player_client`: Clients to extract video data from. The currently available clients are `web`, `web_safari`, `web_embedded`, `web_music`, `web_creator`, `mweb`, `ios`, `ios_downgraded`, `android`, `android_vr`, `tv`, `tv_simply`, `tv_downgraded`, and `tv_embedded`. By default, `android_vr,ios_downgraded,web,web_safari` is used. If no JavaScript runtime/engine is available, then `android_vr,ios_downgraded` is used. If logged-in cookies are passed to yt-dlp, then `tv_downgraded,web,web_safari` is used for free accounts and `tv_downgraded,web_creator,web` is used for premium accounts. The `web_music` client is added for `music.youtube.com` URLs when logged-in cookies are used. The `web_embedded` client is added for age-restricted videos but only works if the video is embeddable. The `tv_embedded` and `web_creator` clients are added for age-restricted videos if account age-verification is required. Some clients, such as `web` and `web_music`, require a `po_token` for their formats to be downloadable. Some clients, such as `web_creator`, will only work with authentication. Not all clients support authentication via cookies. You can use `default` for the default clients, or you can use `all` for all clients (not recommended). You can prefix a client with `-` to exclude it, e.g. `youtube:player_client=default,-ios`
+* `player_client`: Clients to extract video data from. The currently available clients are `web`, `web_safari`, `web_embedded`, `web_music`, `web_creator`, `mweb`, `ios`, `android`, `android_vr`, `tv`, `tv_downgraded`, and `tv_simply`. By default, `android_vr,web,web_safari` is used. If no JavaScript runtime/engine is available, then only `android_vr` is used. If logged-in cookies are passed to yt-dlp, then `tv_downgraded,web,web_safari` is used for free accounts and `tv_downgraded,web_creator,web` is used for premium accounts. The `web_music` client is added for `music.youtube.com` URLs when logged-in cookies are used. The `web_embedded` client is added for age-restricted videos but only successfully works around the age-restriction sometimes (e.g. if the video is embeddable), and may be added as a fallback if `android_vr` is unable to access a video. The `web_creator` client is added for age-restricted videos if account age-verification is required. Some clients, such as `web_creator` and `web_music`, require a `po_token` for their formats to be downloadable. Some clients, such as `web_creator`, will only work with authentication. Not all clients support authentication via cookies. You can use `default` for the default clients, or you can use `all` for all clients (not recommended). You can prefix a client with `-` to exclude it, e.g. `youtube:player_client=default,-web`
 * `player_skip`: Skip some network requests that are generally needed for robust extraction. One or more of `configs` (skip client configs), `webpage` (skip initial webpage), `js` (skip js player), `initial_data` (skip initial data/next ep request). While these options can help reduce the number of requests needed or avoid some rate-limiting, they could cause issues such as missing formats or metadata.  See [#860](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/pull/860) and [#12826](https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/issues/12826) for more details
 * `webpage_skip`: Skip extraction of embedded webpage data. One or both of `player_response`, `initial_data`. These options are for testing purposes and don't skip any network requests
 * `player_params`: YouTube player parameters to use for player requests. Will overwrite any default ones set by yt-dlp.

test/test_jsc/test_ejs_integration.py

@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@ class Variant(enum.Enum):
     tv = 'tv-player-ias.vflset/tv-player-ias.js'
     tv_es6 = 'tv-player-es6.vflset/tv-player-es6.js'
     phone = 'player-plasma-ias-phone-en_US.vflset/base.js'
-    tablet = 'player-plasma-ias-tablet-en_US.vflset/base.js'
 
 
 @dataclasses.dataclass

yt_dlp/extractor/youtube/_base.py

@@ -271,34 +271,6 @@ INNERTUBE_CLIENTS = {
         'PLAYER_PO_TOKEN_POLICY': PlayerPoTokenPolicy(required=False, recommended=True),
         'REQUIRE_JS_PLAYER': False,
     },
-    'ios_downgraded': {
-        'INNERTUBE_CONTEXT': {
-            'client': {
-                'clientName': 'IOS',
-                'clientVersion': '19.49.7',
-                'deviceMake': 'Apple',
-                'deviceModel': 'iPhone16,2',
-                'userAgent': 'com.google.ios.youtube/19.49.7 (iPhone16,2; U; CPU iOS 17_5_1 like Mac OS X;)',
-                'osName': 'iPhone',
-                'osVersion': '17.5.1.21F90',
-            },
-        },
-        'INNERTUBE_CONTEXT_CLIENT_NAME': 5,
-        'GVS_PO_TOKEN_POLICY': {
-            StreamingProtocol.HTTPS: GvsPoTokenPolicy(
-                required=True,
-                recommended=True,
-                not_required_with_player_token=True,
-            ),
-            StreamingProtocol.HLS: GvsPoTokenPolicy(
-                required=False,
-                recommended=True,
-                not_required_with_player_token=True,
-            ),
-        },
-        'PLAYER_PO_TOKEN_POLICY': PlayerPoTokenPolicy(required=False, recommended=True),
-        'REQUIRE_JS_PLAYER': False,
-    },
     # mweb has 'ultralow' formats
     # See: https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/pull/557
     'mweb': {
@@ -379,20 +351,6 @@ INNERTUBE_CLIENTS = {
         },
         'INNERTUBE_CONTEXT_CLIENT_NAME': 75,
     },
-    # This client now requires sign-in for every video
-    # It was previously an age-gate workaround for videos that were `playable_in_embed`
-    # It may still be useful if signed into an EU account that is not age-verified
-    'tv_embedded': {
-        'INNERTUBE_CONTEXT': {
-            'client': {
-                'clientName': 'TVHTML5_SIMPLY_EMBEDDED_PLAYER',
-                'clientVersion': '2.0',
-            },
-        },
-        'INNERTUBE_CONTEXT_CLIENT_NAME': 85,
-        'REQUIRE_AUTH': True,
-        'SUPPORTS_COOKIES': True,
-    },
 }
 
 

yt_dlp/extractor/youtube/_video.py

@@ -145,8 +145,8 @@ class YoutubeIE(YoutubeBaseInfoExtractor):
         r'\b(?P<id>vfl[a-zA-Z0-9_-]+)\b.*?\.js$',
     )
     _SUBTITLE_FORMATS = ('json3', 'srv1', 'srv2', 'srv3', 'ttml', 'srt', 'vtt')
-    _DEFAULT_CLIENTS = ('android_vr', 'ios_downgraded', 'web', 'web_safari')
-    _DEFAULT_JSLESS_CLIENTS = ('android_vr', 'ios_downgraded')
+    _DEFAULT_CLIENTS = ('android_vr', 'web', 'web_safari')
+    _DEFAULT_JSLESS_CLIENTS = ('android_vr',)
     _DEFAULT_AUTHED_CLIENTS = ('tv_downgraded', 'web', 'web_safari')
     # Premium does not require POT (except for subtitles)
     _DEFAULT_PREMIUM_CLIENTS = ('tv_downgraded', 'web_creator', 'web')
@@ -1443,7 +1443,6 @@ class YoutubeIE(YoutubeBaseInfoExtractor):
             'view_count': int,
         },
         'params': {
-            'extractor_args': {'youtube': {'player_client': ['tv_embedded']}},
             'format': '251-drc',
             'skip_download': True,
         },
@@ -3118,6 +3117,15 @@ class YoutubeIE(YoutubeBaseInfoExtractor):
                 else:
                     prs.append(pr)
 
+            if (
+                # Is this a "made for kids" video that can't be downloaded with android_vr?
+                client == 'android_vr' and self._is_unplayable(pr)
+                and webpage and 'made for kids' in webpage
+                # ...and is a JS runtime is available?
+                and any(p.is_available() for p in self._jsc_director.providers.values())
+            ):
+                append_client('web_embedded')
+
             # web_embedded can work around age-gate and age-verification for some embeddable videos
             if self._is_agegated(pr) and variant != 'web_embedded':
                 append_client(f'web_embedded.{base_client}')
@@ -3134,9 +3142,8 @@ class YoutubeIE(YoutubeBaseInfoExtractor):
                 self.to_screen(
                     f'{video_id}: This video is age-restricted and YouTube is requiring '
                     'account age-verification; some formats may be missing', only_once=True)
-                # tv_embedded can work around the age-verification requirement for embeddable videos
                 # web_creator may work around age-verification for all videos but requires PO token
-                append_client('tv_embedded', 'web_creator')
+                append_client('web_creator')
 
             status = traverse_obj(pr, ('playabilityStatus', 'status', {str}))
             if status not in ('OK', 'LIVE_STREAM_OFFLINE', 'AGE_CHECK_REQUIRED', 'AGE_VERIFICATION_REQUIRED'):
@@ -3595,10 +3602,6 @@ class YoutubeIE(YoutubeBaseInfoExtractor):
                 if client_name == 'web_safari' and proto == 'hls' and live_status != 'is_live':
                     f['source_preference'] -= 1
 
-                # Safeguard against inevitable ios_downgraded client breakage
-                if client_name == 'ios_downgraded' and proto == 'hls' and live_status != 'is_live':
-                    f['__needs_testing'] = True
-
                 if missing_pot:
                     f['format_note'] = join_nonempty(f.get('format_note'), 'MISSING POT', delim=' ')
                     f['source_preference'] -= 20

yt_dlp/version.py

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # Autogenerated by devscripts/update-version.py
 
-__version__ = '2026.01.29'
+__version__ = '2026.01.31'
 
-RELEASE_GIT_HEAD = '8b275536d945c4b3d07b6c520677922c67a7c10f'
+RELEASE_GIT_HEAD = '9a9a6b6fe44a30458c1754ef064f354f04a84004'
 
 VARIANT = None
 
@@ -12,4 +12,4 @@ CHANNEL = 'stable'
 
 ORIGIN = 'yt-dlp/yt-dlp'
 
-_pkg_version = '2026.01.29'
+_pkg_version = '2026.01.31'