The Evolution of Smart TV Apps

7 min
Dec 11, 2024

Ruslana Sereda

Technical editor

A smart TV is a device that enhances and diversifies the television viewing experience.

The evolution of smart TV technology has not only changed how content is consumed but has also opened new doors for entrepreneurs. With apps, a convenient space for creative and effective interaction with target audiences is created, which boosts profitability.

The Growth of Smart TV Applications and Their Influence on Entertainment

The continuous advancement of technology and the growing demand for personalized entertainment solutions are driving the expansion of the Smart TV app development services.

Smart TVs have achieved true progress from a cable company, revolutionizing media consumption: more and more screen time is dedicated to apps and content discovery.

The wide variety of operating systems and platforms used by TV manufacturers (Samsung, LG, Philips) introduces new challenges. Each TV is a unique ecosystem with its own rules, complicating the release of universal applications. Additionally, regional requirements and certification procedures add further difficulties.

From Basic Features to Advanced Platforms

Tech giants like Sky, Roku, and Amazon are actively injecting fresh ideas, offering unique models with built into Smart TV functions. The rise of free TV channels like Rakuten TV and Samsung TV Plus creates new revenue opportunities. However, for businesses to succeed in this market, collaboration with experienced developers is essential to ensure smooth app functionality across various platforms and devices. This provides users with a seamless and enjoyable experience, allowing businesses to stand out in a competitive market.

Smart TVs have become a key component of today’s media landscape, offering a broad selection of digital entertainment content at an appealing price. They guarantee a comfortable and convenient viewing experience, from streaming shows and movies to gaming and web browsing.

Essential Characteristics of Smart TV Applications

Smart TVs have redefined television. Viewing is no longer a passive experience but an active participation in content selection, with voice control and a wide range of app functionalities.

Digital activities — streaming services and gaming apps — are even better on a large screen, giving users enhanced visual quality.

Let’s take a look at some of the top Smart TV platforms and their features.

Smart TV Platform	Features
Roku TV	Key benefit: intuitive interface. Wide selection of apps and streaming services, known as “channels,” but currently lacks Twitch support. Local streaming support via Apple AirPlay and Miracast/WiDi, but incompatible with Google Chromecast. Controlled via Roku Voice Remote Pro.
Android TV and Google TV	Google TV nearly replaces Android TV, offering a similar system but with a more user-friendly interface. Access Google TV on any TV through Chromecast with Google TV. Seamless integration with other devices. Voice control to search content across platforms, creating a smart home environment through Google Chromecast and Google Assistant.
WebOS	LG’s platform for smart TVs. Main streaming services available. Includes Twitch, unavailable on Samsung, Vizio, or Roku. Local streaming support via Apple AirPlay and Miracast/WiDi, like Roku and Samsung, but lacks Google Chromecast support. Voice control through LG ThinQ, with the option to set up Alexa or Google Assistant for greater flexibility. Premium LG TVs have hands-free voice control with built-in microphones.
Samsung Smart TV	Tizen-based entertainment ecosystem closely integrated with other Samsung devices, allowing a smartphone to transform into a powerful computer via DeX. Smart home control through SmartThings. Voice assistant Bixby. Support for all popular streaming services. Extensive options for wireless connectivity.

Improving User Engagement

Let’s explore additional features commonly offered by smart TVs.

Voice Assistant

Built-in voice assistants (Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant) simplify device control: users can change settings, switch channels, and find the desired content using only voice commands.

Gesture Recognition

The Magic Remote is a unique remote control developed by LG Electronics for its WebOS smart TVs. This remote allows for control (scrolling, dragging, zooming) and to turn on the TV using gestures.

Screen Mirroring

This feature makes it easy to stream images and videos from a smartphone or tablet to the TV, enjoying content on a larger screen.

Various Connectivity Options

Smart TVs are compatible with a variety of external devices, thanks to USB and HDMI ports. This allows for easy connection of gaming consoles, soundbars, and more.

The Impact of AI

Artificial intelligence opens new possibilities for television personalization. Now, the TV can do more than display content — it can anticipate customer preferences and suggest exactly what they might find interesting.

Furthermore, a smart TV will identify which streaming services or channels the customer uses most frequently and use this data for providing personalized content recommendations.

For the streaming video business, AI-based recommendations help increase profits. By offering content that matches viewer interests, streaming services can not only boost revenue but also expand their subscriber base, thus achieving optimized monetization.

What Is Driving the Popularity of Smart TV Apps?

As of 2024, 60% of the TVs respondents use most frequently are connected to streaming platforms — double the percentage in 2020. Meanwhile, the share of TVs with cable access continues to decline, reaching 38% this year compared to 52% in 2020.

Source: Tvtechnology.com

TV apps provide ideal conditions for creative and effective engagement with target audiences. The evolution of Smart TV technology has opened new revenue opportunities, particularly through advertising:

The Evolution of Smart TV Apps

Targeted Advertising: Smart TVs collect data on users’ viewing habits, preferences, and interests, enabling companies to develop accurate and personalized ad campaigns.
Sponsored Content: Businesses can place sponsored materials within their Smart TV programs to boost revenue.
Dynamic Advertising: Smart TV apps allow real-time content adjustments based on viewers' demographic data and location, enhancing ad relevance and campaign effectiveness.
Data Analytics: Companies gain key insights into campaign performance by tracking view metrics, CTR, and engagement rates, allowing for real-time marketing strategy adjustments.
Programmatic Advertising: Automating the purchase of ad space on Smart TVs increases efficiency, displaying ads to an engaged audience at the optimal moment.

Smart TV apps provide users with a convenient and versatile way to access digital content, while also offering businesses the potential to increase revenue.

The Influence of Streaming Platforms

The emergence of streaming services has transformed the entertainment industry: Netflix, Disney, Amazon Prime, and Hulu have become central to modern entertainment, reshaping viewing habits and production practices.

Content democratization, original programming, and creative freedom have flourished. Many studios and TV channels have launched their own streaming platforms in this growing market, leading to increased competition in content creation.

Ease of Use and Availability

Streaming makes content more accessible, allowing viewers to choose from a wide selection of movies, series, and documentaries at any time. This on-demand model frees audiences from the constraints of traditional television, allowing them to binge-watch entire seasons at once.

Netflix has become the embodiment of streaming video and a must-have app for every Smart TV owner. With its rich library of films, series, and documentaries, it is an integral part of the cord-cutting culture. The app’s intuitive interface simplifies navigation through its vast content library.

Examining Different Operating Systems

Starting Smart TV app development in 2024 is a strategically important step for companies looking to expand their audience and strengthen connections with their customer base.

Choosing the right platform is key to ensuring smooth and effective user interaction. Development tools, user interface convenience, ease of deployment, compatibility with other network devices, and adherence to technological standards, regulations, and guidelines are also essential. Partnering with a reliable development company and following industry best practices can help create an attractive app that engages the target audience and drives success in the competitive digital market.

Developing a Smart TV app requires combining various technologies to provide users with a quality, interactive experience. The choice of specific technology stack can vary depending on the platform you’re targeting (e.g., Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, Android TV).

Types of Smart TV Operating Systems on the Market:

Samsung Tizen supports a wide range of applications and allows apps development using HTML5 and JavaScript.
LG WebOS offers a user-friendly interface and supports web technologies for app development. The platform also has its own app store for developers.
Android TV is an adaptation of the Android operating system designed specifically for TVs, offering a wide range of development tools.
Apple TV is designed for Apple TV devices and provides a platform for app creation using Swift or Objective-C programming languages, featuring seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
Amazon Fire TV is based on Fire OS, allowing developers to create apps with relative ease.
Roku TV has its own programming language, BrightScript, a user interface (SceneGraph), and offers an intuitive interface with a universal search function built-in and voice control capabilities, making digital content more accessible.

Regardless of the operating system chosen, your business will benefit from Smart TV app development with:

Audience expansion.
Revenue opportunities.
Enhanced brand recognition.
Competitive advantages in the market.

By investing in Smart TV app development early, your business can stand out among competitors and increase profits.

The Prospects for Smart TV Applications

Despite their success, streaming services face a unique set of challenges. Content saturation and market fragmentation complicate choices among numerous options.

Streaming services have revolutionized the TV entertainment industry, offering unprecedented access to diverse content and disrupting traditional economic models. Their influence on media consumption and engagement will undoubtedly grow, shaping the future of entertainment in new and unexpected ways.

With continuous technological progress, smart TVs are becoming a key component of home entertainment. Over the next 5 – 10 years, more advanced features and capabilities are expected to emerge, significantly altering gadget interactions and content consumption.

Final Thoughts

The Smart TV market is experiencing a profitable surge, offering exciting opportunities for content creators and businesses. One promising direction is developing custom-branded Smart TV apps.

These apps provide direct access to a large, engaged audience, offering an excellent platform for content distribution and monetization. As the Smart TV ecosystem continues to evolve, it is essential for your company to be present on these platforms, attracting a broader audience and remaining competitive.

Looking to transform your ideas into a fully functional product? Bring your ideas to life with Lampa’s expert ideation services and contact us today to get started!

FAQ

Who is capable of creating a smart TV app for me?

Lampa.dev is a key player in the field of Smart TV app development, offering a wide range of services tailored to the specific needs of this fast-evolving technology. The company skillfully conceptualizes and works closely with clients to transform their ideas into reliable applications, enhancing performance and user experience.