tvOS

Kirby examines how TV operating systems control discovery, billing, advertising, and viewer data. As ownership consolidates, the fight is shifting from apps to the interface, increasing the value of less-conflicted platforms.

Smart TV setup has become one of streaming's most valuable distribution windows, with 51% of users installing suggested apps during activation and 56% rarely or never adding another app afterward. That gives TV OS owners lasting control over app discovery,…

Roku’s platform business crossed $1.13 billion in Q1 revenue, up 28%, as advertising and subscriptions scaled together and pushed the company to $86 million in net income. Roku’s results show its platform model’s getting more durable, with distribution, monetization, and…

Skip breaks down how CTV operating systems now control discovery, monetization, and viewer decision-making, pushing streaming services into a fulfillment role within OS ecosystems. As home screens become the primary interface, services are optimizing for placement and visibility instead of…

Apple was referred to federal prosecutors for potential criminal contempt after a judge ruled it violated a 2021 court order and continued its anticompetitive App Store practices. The decision undercuts the justification for Apple’s 30% platform tax and could destabilize…

Roku continues to lead the U.S. connected TV market, but its limited international presence is becoming a serious strategic risk as Samsung and others scale globally. While Roku dominates programmatic ad transactions and device penetration in the U.S., Samsung is…

From the Archives revisits Boxee, an early streaming pioneer that integrated online content, local media playback, and social features into an open-source platform. Initially gaining traction with software for Mac, Linux, and Apple TV, Boxee later launched the Boxee Box…

Apple is launching a dedicated Apple TV+ app for Android, expanding its reach beyond its own ecosystem. This move aligns with Apple's broader strategy of prioritizing content distribution over platform control, ensuring Apple TV+ is accessible on as many devices…

Sonos is launching a set-top designed as a home theater hub with HDMI switching, advanced audio, and content aggregation. It will rely on smartphone control instead of a remote and may include ad-supported features via The Trade Desk. Priced between…

A recent closed-door discussion at CES brought together industry leaders to address the challenges posed by CTV platforms like Roku, Samsung, and Vizio. Participants highlighted concerns over restrictive practices, such as hoarding user data, demanding large shares of ad inventory,…