Sophia Davis

Digital Transformation Expert

Sophia specializes in helping organizations navigate the complexities of digital change. Her role in the company provides her with a unique perspective on the intersection of technology implementing and business growth, making her insights valuable to companies looking to stay competitive in the digital age.

Tech Business

13 min

How to Develop a Smart TV App: Benefits, Features, Cost

People love television, but they love smart TVs even more. The figures do the talking. In 2024, the global smart TV market is worth $252.41 billion, up from $225.43 billion in 2023. By 2032, it's expected to reach $623.62 billion, growing at 11.97% annually. Smart TVs have evolved beyond just displaying programs. Now, they act more like mini-computers, letting you surf the internet, watch streaming services, check social media, and use various apps. And instead of waiting for scheduled shows, we can watch what we want, when we want. The technology keeps improving too. Many smart TVs now respond to voice commands, so you can control them without hunting for the remote. They can even suggest shows you might like based on what you've watched before. And as Android TV adoption increases, so do the features these devices offer. Excited to be with the trends and join the smart TV revolution? Well, then stick around. With this guide, you will be able to develop your own smart TV app that'll grab viewers' attention right in their living rooms. So whether you're a coding pro or just starting out, you'll find valuable tips here. What is a Smart TV App? Smart TV apps are specialized software programs designed to run on internet-connected televisions. They're like the apps on your smartphone but tailored for the big screen in your living room. With these apps, your TV shifts from just a viewing device to an interactive entertainment hub. Think of smart TV apps as gateways to a world of digital content. Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ are prime examples. The smart TV application ecosystem goes well beyond video streaming. There are apps for music, games, fitness, news updates, weather reports, and social media too. Smart TV apps stand out because of their easy, lean-back viewer experience. They're designed for navigation with remote control, often featuring large, easily readable text and simple menu structures. Many now support voice commands too, making it even easier to find what you want to watch. When creating smart TV applications, developers encounter unique obstacles. To get it right, they need to ensure smooth performance on different TV hardware, optimize for various screen sizes and resolutions, and design an experience that feels engaging even from across the room. It's a whole new game compared to mobile or web development. Smart TV App Operating Systems and Platforms When it comes to developing your own smart TV app, you're not just creating one universal system. There’s a lot going on in the smart TV space, where multiple operating systems are vying for their piece of the market. Each has its traits, development resources, and user base. Let's break down the major players: Android TV: Google's offering is widespread, powering TVs from brands like Sony and TCL. Native apps are built using Kotlin or Java, while web apps rely on JavaScript. The familiar Android ecosystem makes it attractive for developers already versed in mobile app creation. Samsung TV: As the current market leader, Samsung Tizen offers a vast potential audience. With web technologies like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript, it’s accessible to web developers, and Tizen Studio delivers a full development suite. LG webOS: Another Linux-based system, webOS supports HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS. Known for its intuitive interface, it’s available only on LG smart TVs. It typically uses the Enyo platform for smart TV app development. Roku OS: Popular in North America, Roku uses BrightScript, a proprietary language similar to Visual Basic. Although it has a learning curve, the large user base of Roku attracts many developers. Apple tvOS: For those targeting the Apple ecosystem, tvOS is the go-to. With its use of Swift or Objective-C and its parallels to iOS development, it feels familiar to Apple developers. Amazon Fire TV: Based on Android, Fire TV supports Java and Kotlin. Its popularity comes mainly from the Fire TV Stick, which turns any TV into a smart TV. Sure, every platform shines in its way, but let's be real — they've all got their quirks and hiccups. Hence, depending on your target audience, your knowledge, and available resources, you can select the platform that best meets your criteria. Many developers opt to create apps for multiple platforms to maximize reach, often starting with the most popular ones like Android or Apple TV and Samsung Tizen.