diff --git a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/ChannelsScreen.kt b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/ChannelsScreen.kt
index 4cd1c2d..131a64d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/ChannelsScreen.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/ChannelsScreen.kt
@@ -64,9 +64,9 @@ import net.jeena.jtubetv.data.api.ChannelStats
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.data.api.UserDto
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.data.api.VideoChannelDto
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.data.api.VideoDto
-import net.jeena.jtubetv.ui.list.Snapshots
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.ui.list.ImagePrefetcher
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.ui.screens.list.ContainerShape
+import net.jeena.jtubetv.ui.screens.list.ShimmerAsyncImage
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.ui.screens.list.UnfocusedCardBg
 import net.jeena.jtubetv.ui.screens.list.dpadCenterActivatable
 
@@ -531,7 +531,7 @@ fun ChannelCard(
                 val coverUrl = banner?.let { absoluteBanner(it) }
                     ?: stats?.latestThumbUrl
                 if (coverUrl != null) {
-                    AsyncImage(
+                    ShimmerAsyncImage(
                         model = coil.request.ImageRequest.Builder(
                             androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext.current,
                         )
@@ -545,7 +545,7 @@ fun ChannelCard(
                 }
                 val avatar = channel.avatars.maxByOrNull { it.width }
                 if (avatar != null) {
-                    AsyncImage(
+                    ShimmerAsyncImage(
                         model = coil.request.ImageRequest.Builder(
                             androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext.current,
                         )
@@ -554,12 +554,12 @@ fun ChannelCard(
                             .build(),
                         contentDescription = null,
                         contentScale = ContentScale.Crop,
+                        base = Color(0xFF333333),
                         modifier = Modifier
                             .align(Alignment.BottomStart)
                             .padding(8.dp)
                             .size(40.dp)
-                            .clip(CircleShape)
-                            .background(Color(0xFF333333)),
+                            .clip(CircleShape),
                     )
                 }
             }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/list/VideoCard.kt b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/list/VideoCard.kt
index d80fa37..0a1c3a2 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/list/VideoCard.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/net/jeena/jtubetv/ui/screens/list/VideoCard.kt
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ fun VideoCard(
                     .data(video.thumbnailUrl ?: AppGraph.repository.absoluteUrl(path))
                     .size(480, 270) // ~2x the drawn thumb; avoids decoding 1080p+ jpegs
                     .build()
-                AsyncImage(
+                ShimmerAsyncImage(
                     model = req,
                     contentDescription = video.name,
                     contentScale = ContentScale.Crop,
@@ -320,6 +320,48 @@ fun ShimmerCard(modifier: Modifier = Modifier) {
     }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Coil image that shows the same faint shimmer as [ShimmerCard] while it loads
+ * (issue #28) — thumbnails, channel banners and avatars no longer pop in from a
+ * flat grey rectangle. The sweep runs only while loading: once the image (or an
+ * error) arrives, the overlay leaves composition and its animation disposes.
+ */
+@Composable
+fun ShimmerAsyncImage(
+    model: Any?,
+    contentDescription: String?,
+    modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
+    contentScale: ContentScale = ContentScale.Crop,
+    base: Color = Color(0xFF222222),
+) {
+    var loaded by remember(model) { androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf(false) }
+    Box(modifier.background(base)) {
+        AsyncImage(
+            model = model,
+            contentDescription = contentDescription,
+            contentScale = contentScale,
+            modifier = Modifier.matchParentSize(),
+            onState = { state ->
+                loaded = state is coil.compose.AsyncImagePainter.State.Success ||
+                    state is coil.compose.AsyncImagePainter.State.Error
+            },
+        )
+        if (!loaded) ShimmerFill(Modifier.matchParentSize(), base)
+    }
+}
+
+/** Solid base + sweeping sheen; owns its own transition so it disposes on removal. */
+@Composable
+private fun ShimmerFill(modifier: Modifier, base: Color) {
+    val sweep = rememberInfiniteTransition()
+    val x by sweep.animateFloat(
+        initialValue = 0f,
+        targetValue = 1f,
+        animationSpec = infiniteRepeatable(tween(1600, easing = LinearEasing)),
+    )
+    Box(modifier.background(base).shimmer(x))
+}
+
 /** Very faint metallic sheen sweeping per [progress] (0..1); barely stronger than the base. */
 fun Modifier.shimmer(progress: Float): Modifier = drawBehind {
     drawRect(