diff --git a/Jellyfin.Plugin.MediaBarEnhanced/Web/mediaBarEnhanced.js b/Jellyfin.Plugin.MediaBarEnhanced/Web/mediaBarEnhanced.js
index 08d3e98..43db69f 100644
--- a/Jellyfin.Plugin.MediaBarEnhanced/Web/mediaBarEnhanced.js
+++ b/Jellyfin.Plugin.MediaBarEnhanced/Web/mediaBarEnhanced.js
@@ -1723,11 +1723,19 @@ const SlideCreator = {
         // Create container for YouTube API
         const videoClass = CONFIG.fullWidthVideo ? "video-backdrop-full" : "video-backdrop-default";
 
+        // Create a wrapper for opacity transition
         videoBackdrop = SlideUtils.createElement("div", {
-          className: `backdrop video-backdrop ${videoClass}`,
-          id: `youtube-player-${itemId}`
+            className: `backdrop video-backdrop ${videoClass}`,
+            style: "opacity: 0; transition: opacity 1.2s ease-in-out;" // Start interrupted/transparent
         });
 
+        const ytPlayerDiv = SlideUtils.createElement("div", {
+          id: `youtube-player-${itemId}`,
+          style: "width: 100%; height: 100%;"
+        });
+        
+        videoBackdrop.appendChild(ytPlayerDiv);
+
         // Initialize YouTube Player
         SlideUtils.loadYouTubeIframeAPI().then(() => {
           // Fetch SponsorBlock data
@@ -1783,6 +1791,9 @@ const SlideCreator = {
                   event.target._startTime = playerVars.start || 0;
                   event.target._endTime = playerVars.end || undefined;
                   event.target._videoId = videoId;
+                  
+                  // Store reference to wrapper for fading
+                  event.target._wrapperDiv = videoBackdrop;
 
                   if (STATE.slideshow.isMuted) {
                     event.target.mute();
@@ -1832,6 +1843,13 @@ const SlideCreator = {
                   }
                 },
                 'onStateChange': (event) => {
+                  // Fade in when playing
+                  if (event.data === YT.PlayerState.PLAYING) {
+                      if (event.target._wrapperDiv) {
+                          event.target._wrapperDiv.style.opacity = "1";
+                      }
+                  }
+                  
                   if (event.data === YT.PlayerState.ENDED) {
                     const slide = document.querySelector(`.slide[data-item-id="${itemId}"]`);
                     if (slide && slide.classList.contains('active')) {
@@ -1861,7 +1879,7 @@ const SlideCreator = {
           preload: "none",
           disablePictureInPicture: true,
           "data-src": videoSrc,
-          style: "object-fit: cover; object-position: center center; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; pointer-events: none;"
+          style: "object-fit: cover; object-position: center center; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; pointer-events: none; opacity: 0; transition: opacity 1.2s ease-in-out;"
         };
 
         videoAttributes.muted = "";
@@ -1879,6 +1897,10 @@ const SlideCreator = {
             event.target.currentTime = 0;
             return;
           }
+          
+          // Fade in
+          event.target.style.opacity = "1";
+          
           if (CONFIG.waitForTrailerToEnd && STATE.slideshow.slideInterval) {
             STATE.slideshow.slideInterval.stop();
           }