Looking to expand your reach and engage your subscribers on the big screen? Developing a Smart TV app could be exactly what you need!
Smart TV apps are becoming increasingly important for growing and retaining your audience, especially if you offer a paid video subscription.
In fact, Uscreen customers have observed that their subscribers spend twice as much time watching content on apps compared to web platforms. They also sell 1.6x more annual subscriptions than customers who don’t.
All of this really shows the importance of having a presence on major platforms like Samsung TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.
In this expert guide, we’ll explore the Smart TV app ecosystem, compare the top 3 development approaches, and walk you through the step-by-step process of building and launching your own Smart TV app. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents:
Top 3 Smart TV app development approaches
When it comes to how you can develop Smart TV apps of your own, you have a few options to choose from. Let’s compare the top 3 approaches: leasing a branded TV app platform, building your own, and hiring custom app development professionals.
| Approach | Cost | Timeline | Best Suited For |
| Leasing through a dedicated OTT platform | Custom monthly subscription based on your needs and audience | Around 30-40 days to launch | Content brands looking for a no-code solution to launch and maintain their branded apps |
| Building your own DIY app | No labor costs, only development tools | Weeks to months, depending on the app and your experience | Smart TV app developers with loads of experience and enough time |
| Hiring developers for custom app development | From $20K up to $150K depending on the app | 3-6 months | Large organizations with specific requirements and big budgets |
The best no-code solution – leasing your branded TV apps
For content brands looking for a hassle-free approach to developing Smart TV apps, Uscreen’s app builder service offers the most convenient option.Â
As a leading OTT (Over-The-Top) platform, Uscreen provides a comprehensive solution for creating, managing, and distributing your content across various devices, including Smart TVs, web, and mobile apps.
Key benefits of using Uscreen:
- No coding required: Launch your custom, full-featured mobile and TV apps without any technical expertise
- Multi-platform support: Stream your content on major Smart TV platforms; supported platforms include Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV
- Native apps across all devices: Give your viewers a seamless experience across all devices, including desktop and mobile devices
- Branded experience: Customize your app to match your brand identity and stand out in a competitive market
- Content management: Easily upload, organize, and update your video content
- Monetization tools: Implement subscription models, pay-per-view, or hybrid approaches to increase your revenue and leverage in-app purchases
- Analytics: Track user engagement and performance metrics to better understand user preferences and user behavior
- Live streaming: Broadcast special events and enrich the experience with interactive features like live chat and different monetization options
Uscreen has helped numerous content brands launch successful Smart TV apps. Abundance+, for example, decided to launch 6 mobile & TV apps, have over 5,000 paying subscribers, and earn over 1M in annual revenue, with over 76% of member watch time coming from their apps.
Pros:
- Quickest time-to-market compared to other Smart TV app development options
- Low upfront costs and predictable spending
- Developed community features for higher engagement
- Includes 24/7 easy access to expert support, as well as end-user support for your viewers
- All maintenance and feature updates are included in the subscription fee
- Integrated marketing and sales tools
- End-to-end encryption for secure streaming and finance handling
Cons:
- Monthly subscription costs
- Less customization compared to custom development
Best use cases:
- Independent content creators
- Fitness instructors
- Educational course providers
- Niche entertainment channels
- Independent filmmakers
- Event organizers
Pricing:
Uscreen offers tiered pricing plans which all offer access to a customizable web-based platform where you can host and monetize your Netflix-like catalog with flexible options from pay-per-view to recurring subscriptions. All tiers include ongoing maintenance, updates, and support for both web and apps.
Here’s a closer look at Uscreen’s pricing:
- Growth Plan: This tier starts at $149/month and includes a custom web domain, video hosting, live streaming, marketing tools and automations, and analytics.
- Pro Plan: Starting at $599, this tier includes everything in the Growth Plan plus access to community features, a custom mobile app, 3rd party integrations, migrations, and shoppable videos.
- Plus Plan: This tier offers custom pricing tailored to your needs. The plan includes everything offered in the Pro Plan, and unlocks your access to full-featured mobile and TV streaming apps, custom live stream packages, custom branding, and API access.
Build, launch and manage your membership, all in one place.
Building your own Smart TV app
For those with significant technical knowledge, developing a Smart TV app from scratch is an option. This method gives you complete control over the app’s functionality and design, but requires expertise in Smart TV application development.
First, you need to choose the correct programming language for the Smart TV application of your choice. If you want to launch a…
- Samsung TV or LG app, you’ll need to code in JavaScript.
- Android TV app, you’ll need to code in Java.
- Apple TV app, you’ll need to code in Swift or Objective-C.
- Web-based Smart TV app, you’ll need to code in HTML5.
Want to take a swing at building apps yourself? Here’s the development environment, tools, and SDK for each major Smart TV app.
- Samsung Smart TV app development: Tizen Studio
- LG TV app development: webOS TV SDK
- Android TV app development: Android SDK
- Apple TV app development: tvOS SDK
- Roku TV app development: Amazon Fire TV SDK
Pros:
- Complete control over app functionality and design
- No ongoing platform fees
- Potential for deep integration with TV-specific features
Cons:
- Tackling Smart Television app development yourself requires significant technical expertise and time
- Longer development time because you’ll probably have to combine this with a regular job or other projects
- There’s no option for Smart TV development that covers all platforms with just one app, so you’ll need to develop separately for each platform
- Responsible for ongoing maintenance and updates after launch, again taking up a lot of your creative time
Best suited for:
- Experienced developers or companies with strong technical teams
- Projects with unique requirements not met by existing platforms
- Companies looking to avoid ongoing platform fees and willing to invest in long-term maintenance
While this approach to Smart TV app development offers the most flexibility, it also comes with the highest technical barriers and ongoing responsibilities. Ensure you have the necessary resources and expertise before choosing this path.
Pricing:
While there’s no one-size-fits-all number for this option due to a mix of variables, this could be the most budget-friendly option on this list as you’ll either be doing everything yourself, or be sourcing the work in-house. The majority of the costs will come from the tools and assets you’ll need for the job.
Hire developers: custom Smart TV app developmentÂ
Custom Smart TV app development involves hiring a specialized agency or development team to create your app from scratch. This process typically includes:
- Requirements and asset gathering and analysis
- UI/UX design and copywriting
- Development for chosen platforms
- Quality assurance and testing
- App store submission and approval
- Post-launch support and maintenance
Pros:
- Tailored to your specific needs
- Professional design and development
- Can target multiple platforms simultaneously
- Potential for unique features and integrations
Cons:
- Highest upfront cost – many projects begin from $20K and can go up to $150K and even more, depending on the complexity of the project
- Longer development timeline due to multiple projects and the back and forth between the client and the provider in order to make sure everything is going according to their requirements
- Ongoing maintenance costs – Support after launch is often a separate service that you’ll have to pay for in addition to the development costs
Best for:
- Large organizations with very specific requirements
- Companies with substantial budgets
- Projects needing highly interactive apps, complex integrations or unique features
Pricing:
Custom Smart TV app development costs can vary widely based on complexity, features, and target platforms. Here’s a rough estimate:
- Basic app (single platform): $20,000 – $50,000
- Mid-range app (2-3 platforms): $50,000 – $150,000
- Complex app (multiple platforms, advanced features): $150,000+
Remember that these are one-time development costs. You’ll also need to budget for ongoing maintenance, updates, and potential platform fees.
The Process: Planning, building and launching your Smart TV app
1. Identifying your target audience
Before diving into Smart TV app development, you have to understand who your target audience is. This knowledge will inform many decisions throughout the development process. Consider the following:
- Demographics: What are their core characteristics such as age range, gender, location, and income level?
- Interests: What type of content do they consume?
- Viewing habits: When and how do they watch TV?
- Device preferences: Which operating system or Smart TV platform do they use most?
- Technical proficiency: How comfortable are they with technology?
Conduct market research through surveys, focus groups, or analysis of your existing subscriber base. Look at competitors in your niche to see who they’re targeting and how.
Once you have a good understanding of your audience, you can choose the right platforms to develop your apps in, design an interface that appeals to your viewers, create content that resonates with your target demographic, and set appropriate pricing for your app.
Remember, the more precisely you can define your audience, the better you can tailor your app to meet their needs and preferences.
2. Defining key features for your app
To create a successful Smart TV app, you need to include features that enhance the viewing experience and keep your subscribers engaged. Here are some essential features to consider:
- High-quality video streaming: Ensure your app supports HD and 4K streaming where possible.
- Intuitive user interface: Design a user-friendly navigation system optimized for TV remote controls.
- Content library: Organize your videos into categories for easy browsing.
- User customization options: Allow users to create playlists, save favorites, and resume playback.
- Diverse range of monetization options: Support subscriptions, pay-per-view, or ad-supported models.
- Search functionality: Include reliable search capabilities with voice search support where possible.
- Offline viewing: If applicable, allow users to download content for offline viewing.
- Multi-device sync: Sync watch history and preferences across devices.
- Accessibility features: Include closed captions, audio descriptions, and other accessibility options.
3. Defining your monetization model and pricing
Choosing the right monetization model is crucial for the success of your Smart TV app. Here are the main options:
- Ad-supported: Free access with in-app advertisements
- Pay-per-view: Users pay for individual pieces of content
- Subscriptions: Regular (usually monthly) fee for access to all content
Once you’ve landed on the monetization model that’s right for you, you’ll need to set your pricing. When deciding on what you’ll charge viewers…
- Apply your target audience research: What are they willing to pay?
- Research competitors: What’s the market rate for similar content?
- Consider your costs: Ensure your pricing covers expenses and provides profit
- Test different price points: Use A/B testing to find the optimal price
- Offer different tiers: Consider basic and premium options.
For example, Uscreen customer Jazzercise offers monthly and annual plans, including a plan with only workouts and one with a nutrition plan.
Remember, your pricing strategy should balance attracting subscribers with maintaining profitability. Don’t be afraid to adjust your pricing as you gather more data on your audience’s behavior.
Need help finding the right price for your platform?
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4. Pursuing the right development approach
Selecting the right platform for your Smart TV app depends on a few different factors, like the platforms you want to launch on, the features you need, your budget, and so on.
At this point in our guide, you probably have a good idea of which approach is best for you. Want to explore your options based on the specific platforms you want to launch on?
Here are some resources to get you started:
- How to Create a Roku Channel
- How To Create Your Own Android TV App
- How to Create Your Own Fire TV App
- How To Build an Apple TV App
- Building a Samsung Smart TV App
Remember, you don’t have to launch on all platforms at once. Start with the most relevant platform for your audience and expand as you grow.
Build, launch and manage your membership, all in one place.
5. Publishing and distribution
Once your app is ready, it’s time to publish and distribute it across your audience’s television screens.
When using an OTT platform like Uscreen, the development and submission process is handled for you, saving time and ensuring compliance with platform guidelines.
If you’re opting for a DIY development approach, then you’ll need to be aware that each Smart TV platform has its own submission process and requirements:
- Google Play Store:
- Create a developer account
- Submit your app for review
- Typical review time: 1-3 days
- Apple TV App Store:
- Enroll in the Apple Developer Program
- Submit via App Store Connect
- Typical review time: 1-3 days
- Amazon Fire TV:
- Register as an Amazon developer
- Submit through the Amazon Developer Console
- Typical review time: 3-7 days
Across all platforms, you’ll be required to submit high-quality screenshots and an app icon alongside a detailed app description. Plus, you’ll need to add your privacy policy, as well as your content ratings.
6. Maintenance and Updates
Even if you create the perfect app, your job is far from being over – you also need to regularly maintain and update it. This will help you fix bugs and improve performance, add new features based on user feedback, stay compatible with new TV models and OS updates, and adapt to changing platform guidelines.
The maintenance approach differs based on your development method.
When launching your apps through platforms like Uscreen, regular maintenance, updates, and end-user support are included in your subscription fee, which means that all the technical stuff is handled by the platform, and there’s no additional effort or cost on your part.
With the DIY method, you’re the one responsible for all updates, which naturally requires ongoing time commitment. On the plus side, it takes up no additional costs but demands technical expertise.
In custom app development, you’ll need to set aside an ongoing maintenance budget and often contract separate developers for updates. The typical cost is usually 15-20% of initial development cost annually.
Create a premium experience for all subscribers with branded Smart TV apps
Developing a Smart TV app can significantly boost your content business, increasing engagement and expanding your reach. Let’s recap the three methods we’ve explored:
- Branded platforms (like Uscreen): Best for content brands wanting a quick, hassle-free launch without technical expertise.
- DIY method: Suitable for experienced developers seeking full control over the app.
- Custom development: Ideal for large organizations with specific needs and substantial budgets.
Uscreen stands out as an excellent choice for most content creators, offering:
- Multi-platform support
- No-code app development
- Integrated monetization tools
- Analytics and engagement features
- Ongoing maintenance and updates
Ready to take your content to the big screen? Sign up for a demo with Uscreen today and discover how easy it can be to launch your own Smart TV app. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to expand your audience and get the most out of your subscription business!
Build, launch and manage your membership, all in one place.
