diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/1_broken_site.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/1_broken_site.md
index 63ea413d0..5ed0f46da 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/1_broken_site.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/1_broken_site.md
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ assignees: ''
 
 <!--
 Carefully read and work through this check list in order to prevent the most common mistakes and misuse of youtube-dlc:
-- First of, make sure you are using the latest version of youtube-dlc. Run `youtube-dlc --version` and ensure your version is 2021.01.07-1. If it's not, see https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc on how to update. Issues with outdated version will be REJECTED.
+- First of, make sure you are using the latest version of youtube-dlc. Run `youtube-dlc --version` and ensure your version is 2021.01.08. If it's not, see https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc on how to update. Issues with outdated version will be REJECTED.
 - Make sure that all provided video/audio/playlist URLs (if any) are alive and playable in a browser.
 - Make sure that all URLs and arguments with special characters are properly quoted or escaped as explained in https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc.
 - Search the bugtracker for similar issues: https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc. DO NOT post duplicates.
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ Carefully read and work through this check list in order to prevent the most com
 -->
 
 - [ ] I'm reporting a broken site support
-- [ ] I've verified that I'm running youtube-dlc version **2021.01.07-1**
+- [ ] I've verified that I'm running youtube-dlc version **2021.01.08**
 - [ ] I've checked that all provided URLs are alive and playable in a browser
 - [ ] I've checked that all URLs and arguments with special characters are properly quoted or escaped
 - [ ] I've searched the bugtracker for similar issues including closed ones
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Add the `-v` flag to your command line you run youtube-dlc with (`youtube-dlc -v
  [debug] User config: []
  [debug] Command-line args: [u'-v', u'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaW_jenozKcj']
  [debug] Encodings: locale cp1251, fs mbcs, out cp866, pref cp1251
- [debug] youtube-dlc version 2021.01.07-1
+ [debug] youtube-dlc version 2021.01.08
  [debug] Python version 2.7.11 - Windows-2003Server-5.2.3790-SP2
  [debug] exe versions: ffmpeg N-75573-g1d0487f, ffprobe N-75573-g1d0487f, rtmpdump 2.4
  [debug] Proxy map: {}
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/2_site_support_request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/2_site_support_request.md
index ca50078fe..4d07adbfd 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/2_site_support_request.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/2_site_support_request.md
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ assignees: ''
 
 <!--
 Carefully read and work through this check list in order to prevent the most common mistakes and misuse of youtube-dlc:
-- First of, make sure you are using the latest version of youtube-dlc. Run `youtube-dlc --version` and ensure your version is 2021.01.07-1. If it's not, see https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc on how to update. Issues with outdated version will be REJECTED.
+- First of, make sure you are using the latest version of youtube-dlc. Run `youtube-dlc --version` and ensure your version is 2021.01.08. If it's not, see https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc on how to update. Issues with outdated version will be REJECTED.
 - Make sure that all provided video/audio/playlist URLs (if any) are alive and playable in a browser.
 - Make sure that site you are requesting is not dedicated to copyright infringement, see https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc. youtube-dlc does not support such sites. In order for site support request to be accepted all provided example URLs should not violate any copyrights.
 - Search the bugtracker for similar site support requests: https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc. DO NOT post duplicates.
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ Carefully read and work through this check list in order to prevent the most com
 -->
 
 - [ ] I'm reporting a new site support request
-- [ ] I've verified that I'm running youtube-dlc version **2021.01.07-1**
+- [ ] I've verified that I'm running youtube-dlc version **2021.01.08**
 - [ ] I've checked that all provided URLs are alive and playable in a browser
 - [ ] I've checked that none of provided URLs violate any copyrights
 - [ ] I've searched the bugtracker for similar site support requests including closed ones
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/3_site_feature_request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/3_site_feature_request.md
index 285d091d2..da119bb8b 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/3_site_feature_request.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/3_site_feature_request.md
@@ -21,13 +21,13 @@ assignees: ''
 
 <!--
 Carefully read and work through this check list in order to prevent the most common mistakes and misuse of youtube-dlc:
-- First of, make sure you are using the latest version of youtube-dlc. Run `youtube-dlc --version` and ensure your version is 2021.01.07-1. If it's not, see https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc on how to update. Issues with outdated version will be REJECTED.
+- First of, make sure you are using the latest version of youtube-dlc. Run `youtube-dlc --version` and ensure your version is 2021.01.08. If it's not, see https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc on how to update. Issues with outdated version will be REJECTED.
 - Search the bugtracker for similar site feature requests: https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc. DO NOT post duplicates.
 - Finally, put x into all relevant boxes like this [x] (Dont forget to delete the empty space)
 -->
 
 - [ ] I'm reporting a site feature request
-- [ ] I've verified that I'm running youtube-dlc version **2021.01.07-1**
+- [ ] I've verified that I'm running youtube-dlc version **2021.01.08**
 - [ ] I've searched the bugtracker for similar site feature requests including closed ones
 
 
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/4_bug_report.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/4_bug_report.md
index bd535d672..e53bb15dd 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/4_bug_report.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/4_bug_report.md
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ assignees: ''
 
 <!--
 Carefully read and work through this check list in order to prevent the most common mistakes and misuse of youtube-dlc:
-- First of, make sure you are using the latest version of youtube-dlc. Run `youtube-dlc --version` and ensure your version is 2021.01.07-1. If it's not, see https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc on how to update. Issues with outdated version will be REJECTED.
+- First of, make sure you are using the latest version of youtube-dlc. Run `youtube-dlc --version` and ensure your version is 2021.01.08. If it's not, see https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc on how to update. Issues with outdated version will be REJECTED.
 - Make sure that all provided video/audio/playlist URLs (if any) are alive and playable in a browser.
 - Make sure that all URLs and arguments with special characters are properly quoted or escaped as explained in https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc.
 - Search the bugtracker for similar issues: https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc. DO NOT post duplicates.
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ Carefully read and work through this check list in order to prevent the most com
 -->
 
 - [ ] I'm reporting a broken site support issue
-- [ ] I've verified that I'm running youtube-dlc version **2021.01.07-1**
+- [ ] I've verified that I'm running youtube-dlc version **2021.01.08**
 - [ ] I've checked that all provided URLs are alive and playable in a browser
 - [ ] I've checked that all URLs and arguments with special characters are properly quoted or escaped
 - [ ] I've searched the bugtracker for similar bug reports including closed ones
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Add the `-v` flag to your command line you run youtube-dlc with (`youtube-dlc -v
  [debug] User config: []
  [debug] Command-line args: [u'-v', u'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaW_jenozKcj']
  [debug] Encodings: locale cp1251, fs mbcs, out cp866, pref cp1251
- [debug] youtube-dlc version 2021.01.07-1
+ [debug] youtube-dlc version 2021.01.08
  [debug] Python version 2.7.11 - Windows-2003Server-5.2.3790-SP2
  [debug] exe versions: ffmpeg N-75573-g1d0487f, ffprobe N-75573-g1d0487f, rtmpdump 2.4
  [debug] Proxy map: {}
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/5_feature_request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/5_feature_request.md
index 7b2c9f46c..1b3357576 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/5_feature_request.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/5_feature_request.md
@@ -21,13 +21,13 @@ assignees: ''
 
 <!--
 Carefully read and work through this check list in order to prevent the most common mistakes and misuse of youtube-dlc:
-- First of, make sure you are using the latest version of youtube-dlc. Run `youtube-dlc --version` and ensure your version is 2021.01.07-1. If it's not, see https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc on how to update. Issues with outdated version will be REJECTED.
+- First of, make sure you are using the latest version of youtube-dlc. Run `youtube-dlc --version` and ensure your version is 2021.01.08. If it's not, see https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc on how to update. Issues with outdated version will be REJECTED.
 - Search the bugtracker for similar feature requests: https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc. DO NOT post duplicates.
 - Finally, put x into all relevant boxes like this [x] (Dont forget to delete the empty space)
 -->
 
 - [ ] I'm reporting a feature request
-- [ ] I've verified that I'm running youtube-dlc version **2021.01.07-1**
+- [ ] I've verified that I'm running youtube-dlc version **2021.01.08**
 - [ ] I've searched the bugtracker for similar feature requests including closed ones
 
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c79595000..1bd9c4d49 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-[![Release Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/Release-2021.01.08-brightgreen)](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc/releases/latest)
+[![Release Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/Release-2021.01.09-brightgreen)](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc/releases/latest)
 [![License: Unlicense](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-Unlicense-blue.svg)](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc/blob/master/LICENSE)
 [![Core Status](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc/workflows/Core%20Test/badge.svg?branch=master)](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc/actions?query=workflow%3ACore)
 [![CI Status](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc/workflows/Full%20Test/badge.svg?branch=master)](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc/actions?query=workflow%3AFull)
@@ -48,13 +48,13 @@ The major new features are:
 
 * **[SponSkrub Integration](#sponSkrub-options-sponsorblock)** - You can use [SponSkrub](https://github.com/faissaloo/SponSkrub) to mark/remove sponsor sections in youtube videos by utilizing the [SponsorBlock](https://sponsor.ajay.app) API
 
-* **[Format Sorting](#sorting-format)** - The default format sorting options have been changed so that higher resolution and better codecs will be now prefered instead of simply using larger bitrate. Furthermore, the user can now specify the sort order if they want. This allows for much easier format selection that what is possible by simply using `--format` ([examples](#format-selection-examples))
+* **[Format Sorting](#sorting-format)** - The default format sorting options have been changed so that higher resolution and better codecs will be now prefered instead of simply using larger bitrate. Furthermore, you can now specify the sort order using `-S`. This allows for much easier format selection that what is possible by simply using `--format` ([examples](#format-selection-examples))
 
 * Merged with youtube-dl **v2020.01.08** - You get the new features and patches of [youtube-dl](https://github.com/ytdl-org/youtube-dl) in addition to all the features of [youtube-dlc](https://github.com/blackjack4494)
 
 * **New options** - `--list-formats-as-table`, `--write-link`, `--force-download-archive` etc
 
-and many other features and patches. See [changelog](changelog.md) or [commits](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc/commits) for the full list of changes
+and many other features and patches. See [changelog](Changelog.md) or [commits](https://github.com/pukkandan/yt-dlc/commits) for the full list of changes
 
 
 # INSTALLATION
@@ -447,8 +447,8 @@ Then simply type this
     --no-audio-multistreams          Only one audio stream is downloaded for
                                      each output file (default)
     --all-formats                    Download all available video formats
-    --prefer-free-formats            Prefer free video formats unless a specific
-                                     one is requested
+    --prefer-free-formats            Prefer free video formats over non-free
+                                     formats of same quality
     -F, --list-formats               List all available formats of requested
                                      videos
     --list-formats-as-table          Present the output of -F in a more tabular
@@ -919,9 +919,17 @@ $ youtube-dlc -f 'bv*+ba/b'
 # Same as above
 $ youtube-dlc
 
+# Download the best video-only format and the best audio-only format without merging them
+# For this case, an output template should be used since
+# by default, bestvideo and bestaudio will have the same file name.
+$ youtube-dlc -f 'bv,ba' -o '%(title)s.f%(format_id)s.%(ext)s'
 
 
-# Download the worst video available
+
+# The following examples show the old method (without -S) of format selection
+# and how to use -S to achieve a similar but better result
+
+# Download the worst video available (old method)
 $ youtube-dlc -f 'wv*+wa/w'
 
 # Download the best video available but with the smallest resolution
@@ -980,13 +988,6 @@ $ youtube-dlc -S 'protocol'
 
 
 
-# Download the best video-only format and the best audio-only format without merging them
-# For this case, an output template should be used since
-# by default, bestvideo and bestaudio will have the same file name.
-$ youtube-dlc -f 'bv,ba' -o '%(title)s.f%(format_id)s.%(ext)s'
-
-
-
 # Download the best video with h264 codec, or the best video if there is no such video
 $ youtube-dlc -f '(bv*+ba/b)[vcodec^=avc1] / (bv*+ba/b)'
 
diff --git a/youtube_dlc/options.py b/youtube_dlc/options.py
index b00db519a..41ad8a579 100644
--- a/youtube_dlc/options.py
+++ b/youtube_dlc/options.py
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ def parseOpts(overrideArguments=None):
     video_format.add_option(
         '--prefer-free-formats',
         action='store_true', dest='prefer_free_formats', default=False,
-        help='Prefer free video formats unless a specific one is requested')
+        help='Prefer free video formats over non-free formats of same quality')
     video_format.add_option(
         '-F', '--list-formats',
         action='store_true', dest='listformats',