Smart TV Apps Are No Longer a “Nice to Have”—Here’s How to Launch Yours Easily

The streaming market is shifting—and Smart TVs are now at the heart of the viewing experience. If your content isn’t accessible on connected TVs, you're not just missing reach—you're missing retention, engagement, and long-term growth.

In today’s competitive landscape, Smart TV apps are no longer “nice to have”. They are a core part of any streaming strategy, offering a direct path to audiences who want lean-back, high-quality viewing experiences on the big screen.

The Smart TV Market: A Distribution Channel You Can’t Afford to Ignore

The global Smart TV market is valued at $227.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a 12.8% CAGR through 2030. This growth signals a clear message: Smart TVs aren’t a niche anymore—they’re mainstream.

For streaming services, this means:

• Increased demand for high-quality TV experiences
• Higher expectations for consistent UX across platform
• A real risk of churn if TV performance lags behind other devices
  
  

Delivering an Outstanding Smart TV Experience: What Really Matters

Building a Smart TV app is about more than just being present. To keep users engaged, the experience must be fast, intuitive, and consistent with what they get on mobile or web. Here are 5 must-have features that elevate the Smart TV user experience:

5 Must-Have Features for a Great Smart TV Experience

1. Let Your Audience Find Their Content in 3 Clicks or Less
   Navigation should be quick and effortless. If users can’t find what they want fast, they’ll leave. Aim for three clicks—or fewer—to get them to their favorite content.
2. Let Them Pick Up Where They Left Off
   Viewers switch between devices all the time. Keep the experience seamless by syncing resume points and favorites across TV, mobile, and web.
3. Make Login Easy—Right From Their Phone
   Typing with a remote is frustrating. Let users log in by scanning a QR code or using their phone for a smooth, hassle-free experience.
4. Let Viewers Tell You What They Like
   Start strong with a preference selector. When users share their interests upfront, you can personalize their experience from the very first screen.
5. Offer Quick Access with TV Provider Login
   Make it simple for users to log in using their existing cable or satellite credentials—no extra steps, no friction.

Launch Seamless Smart TV Apps with Great User Experience—Powered by Zapp

Delivering a top-tier Smart TV experience doesn’t have to be complex. Zapp by Applicaster makes it easy to build and manage high-performing apps—while also ensuring the exceptional user experience your viewers expect. From intuitive navigation to cross-device continuity and beyond, Zapp supports all the key features mentioned above—and many more—across all major platforms, including:

• Samsung TV (Tizen)
• Apple TV (tvOS)
• Fire TV
• Android TV
  
• Roku
  
• LG TV
• Vizio

Stand Out with Server-Driven UI—Across All Devices

Zapp includes Server-Driven UI (SDUI) for Smart TVs and all other platforms. This gives you the ability to:

• Instantly update UI without resubmitting to app stores
• Launch seasonal promotions or information on specific events in real time
• Hyper-personalized experiences that make every user feel special in real time
• Keep UX consistent across TV, mobile, and web
• Test and optimize layout and content based on user behavior
  
  

Whether you’re launching your first Smart TV app or expanding to more platforms, Zapp makes it simple to scale your distribution and deliver exceptional UX every step of the way.

Ready to Launch on Smart TVs?

Zapp helps you reach wider audiences, retain subscribers, and stay ahead of the competition—without the complexity.

Talk to us to learn how you can easily launch Smart TV apps with Zapp and deliver a seamless, high-performance experience across every screen.