@randomhasard I have the same issue. The new tab takes a LONG time to load, and even times out sometimes.
Why does Opera insist on making everyone use this page? They removed the option of not using it.
The appeal of Opera was that it was a slimmed down, simple, and FAST browser. NOBODY wants the extra crap they have added. NOBODY, except perhaps the software tech who created it.
In Opera preferences -> Privacy & Security -> under the "Block third-party cookies and site data" Click Manage Exceptions.. -> Add www.youtube.com and then add https://apis.google.com