STAMFORD, Conn.—Charter’s operating brand Spectrum has announced that the Spectrum TV App is now available on Google TV and other Android TV OS devices. The launch broadens access to pay TV streaming app and gives Spectrum customers even more ways to watch their Spectrum TV service.

"Launching the Spectrum TV App on Google TV and other Android TV OS devices expands how customers can enjoy Spectrum TV," said Elena Ritchie, Senior Vice President, Video at Spectrum. "It's another step in giving customers more choice and flexibility in how and where they watch."

Available for free to Spectrum TV customers, the app lets customers:

• Stream their Spectrum TV channel lineup with the ability to pause live TV
• Use the Multiview feature for select sports games
• Access Cloud DVR recordings
• View On Demand shows and movies

The app is available on Google TV and other Android TV OS devices running Android™ 10 for TV or later, including TVs manufactured by Hisense, Philips, Sony and TCL.

In addition to Google TV and other Android TV OS devices, the Spectrum TV App is available on Xumo Stream Box, as well as Amazon Fire TV devices, Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Tablets, LG smart TVs, Roku, Samsung smart TVs, VIZIO smart TVs, Xbox and Xumo TV.

The global installed base of Smart TVs and Connected TV (CTV) devices will reach 4.2 billion units by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.6% from 2.65 billion in 2025, according to the latest report from Rethink TV. While Android-based platforms will account for nearly two-thirds of this expansion, the ecosystem is fracturing, with new OS contenders carving out regional footholds and formerly dominant platforms entering decline.

Android TV, Google’s flagship video platform, will expand dramatically, powered by a wave of integrations and sustained retail adoption. But cracks are showing; Chromecast OS is set to vanish entirely by the end of the forecast, and unlicensed AOSP forks are losing favor amid rising content security demands. Meanwhile, HarmonyOS (a forked Android variant developed by Huawei) has quietly built a domestic empire in China, projected to reach 932 million units globally by 2030.

RDK, once heralded as the open-source answer to Android’s dominance, will see its global installed base peak during the period, before contracting to 66.5 million. Its legacy in North American cable deployments is fading, and international traction remains sporadic.

New entrants are capitalizing on this fragmentation. India’s JioTele OS will surge to over 100 million units by 2030, thanks to bundled broadband and retail TV strategies. Titan OS, backed by TP Vision and Vestel, has emerged in Europe as a neutral, ad-friendly Linux platform. TiVo’s Linux-based TiVo OS also emerges, operating in tandem to the Android TV-based TiVo Stream.

Even niche platforms are making noise. ZEASN’s Whale OS, Roku’s white-label rival, is forecast to top 117 million units. Meanwhile, Ventura OS, launched by The Trade Desk to give advertisers more data transparency, looks doomed following the collapse of its Sonos partnership, leaving it without a hardware partner or deployment path.

The shift toward software-led ecosystems means that OS decisions are no longer just about UX – they’re about data, discovery, and monetization. “The OS is where the ad rails live, where the recommendation engines run, and where first-party data is collected,” said Rafi Cohen, Analyst at Rethink TV. “This is no longer a product or UX choice. It’s a hugely political and strategic one.”

Annual smart TV sales will continue to drive growth, climbing to 3.76 billion in 2030, while CTV device sales will decline slightly to 440 million, reflecting a shift toward integrated experiences. This tilt is most visible in mature markets, where HDMI dongles are being displaced by increasingly capable Smart TVs. But in price-sensitive regions, CTV devices still serve as retrofit solutions for legacy screens.

Rethink TV’s forecast draws on extensive modeling of OS-level market shares, OEM partnerships, app ecosystem dynamics, and regional video infrastructure. The report includes projections across five global regions, offering a granular view of where and how each OS will grow, or fall behind. Click here for an executive summary.

NEW YORK—Four new free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) linear content offerings featuring programming from Telemundo Enterprises and the NBCUniversal Global Distribution library have launched on Google TV and Android TV devices in the US.

The four additional channels launching August 23 are: Murder, She Wrote; Universal Crime; Lo Mejor de Telemundo and Historias de Amor.

These channels join NBCUniversal’s lineup of previously announced FAST channels on Google TV including NBC News Now, Today All Day, Dateline 24/7, NBC Local Stations, Telemundo al Día, and Sky News International.

NBCU reported that all of its new FAST channels on third party services like Google TV are powered by Xumo Enterprise, the business-to-business arm of Xumo that provides content owners, distributors and advertisers with tools and services to succeed in FAST. Xumo is a joint venture between NBCU’s parent company Comcast and Charter. 

A new blog post from Google’s Android TV has unveiled a new UI framework called Compose TV for developing apps on Android TV and released new data on the popularity of the operating system. 

In the blog post, the company noted that the Android TV OS is now in over 150 million monthly active devices and that the research firm Strategy Analytics estimates that the Android TV streaming platform shipped on more devices worldwide than any other streaming TV platform in 2022. 

The post also said that the May 10 Alpha release of Compose for TV, the latest UI framework for developing beautiful and functional apps for Android TV, is designed to unlock all the benefits of Jetpack Compose by allowing developers to create apps with less code, spend less time on maintenance and create a modern Material 3 look straight out of the box. Key features include: 

• Less code: Compose TV allows users to do more with less code and avoid entire classes of bugs, so code is simple and easy to maintain. 
• Intuitive: Describe the UI, and Compose takes care of the rest, the blog post noted. As the app state changes, the UI automatically updates. 
• Accelerate development: Compose for TV is compatible with all existing code so you can adopt when and where you want and iterate fast with live previews and full Android Studio support.
• Powerful & flexible: Create beautiful apps with direct access to the Android platform APIs that can be easily reused between other form factors, including your existing mobile, tablet, foldable, wearable and TV interfaces. 

In addition, the Android TV blog post announced the launch of our new TV Design Guidelines for Android TV.

This comprehensive guide gives users the tools they need to create TV apps that are visually appealing, intuitive, and immersive. The guidelines cover everything from typography and color to navigation and layout and make it easier to create high-quality, easy to use TV apps.

WASHINGTON —Pearl TV and iWedia have launched a fast track program that should speed up and simplify the adoption of NextGen TV technologies by consumer electronic makers producing smart TVs and related devices in the Android TV marketplace. 

“Android TV is one of the most versatile operating systems in existence, powering smart televisions and streaming boxes for nearly a decade,” stated Anne Schelle, managing director of Pearl TV, a coalition of TV broadcasters that have been spearheading the transition to NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0.  “With a loyal, tech-savvy and content-loving consumer base, this platform enables Android TV manufacturers to onboard quickly and accelerate their introduction of compelling NextGen TV consumer features with sophisticated SoC technology powered by iWedia. We’re excited that we can come together with iWedia and usher in affordable-cost televisions that consumers desire.” 

iWedia’s robust ATSC 3.0 software stack includes an advanced media player and browser that enriches the interactive features and capabilities developed by Pearl TV and the Pearl Network Consortium. 

Television system on chip (SoC) manufacturers in the Android TV domain will benefit from iWedia’s agnostic operating system and a streamlined process of enabling consumer features with Pearl’s pre-integrated SoC solutions, the companies said. 

The IoT and in-vehicle infotainment capabilities will also benefit vehicle manufacturers and broadcasters looking to adopt NextGen TV capabilities. 

“NextGen TV has proven to be one of the fastest growing new technologies introduced to consumers and this partnership with Pearl TV opens up a seat at the table for Android TV manufacturers,” commented Hans-Juergen, CEO of iWedia. “We are proven pioneers in Android TV, recently  surpassing six million operating system deployments, and we’re thrilled to partner with Pearl TV and help manufacturers who want to streamline and accelerate their introduction of products with this cutting-edge broadcast technology.” 

Pearl TV and iWedia’s platform will be pre-certified for compliance with the Consumer Technology Association’s (CTA) NextGen TV logo requirements, A3SA Security and the RUN3TV Application platform—ensuring that manufacturers are meeting the highest standards around authenticity and security. 

The companies noted that NextGen TV sets are already proliferating in the market and that currently there are approximately 110 models available at retail offered by Hisense, Sony, Samsung and LG, with prices starting at $599. 

NextGen TV broadcasts are also available in more than 50 markets and are expected to reach 60% of viewers in the U.S. by the end of 2022. 

Recent research by Magid has found growing interest in the technology: 85% of viewers without a NextGen TV are likely to purchase one in the next year.  

NextGen TV and the corresponding interactive web platform, RUN3TV, will have a prominent presence at the IBC Show, Sept. 9-12, in Amsterdam, the companies said.

Pearl TV’s managing director, Anne Schelle, will take the stage as a panelist in “The John Logie Baird Lecture - The State of the TV Business and the Next 5 Years,” on Sept. 10, at 11 a.m., room E1002.  

During IBC2022, the RUN3TV application will be showcased at the Yotta Media Labs booth, Stand: 1.C37h.

iWedia is exhibiting at Hall5, A79. 

LENEXA, Kan. & CENTENNIAL, Colo.—Evolution Digital and the National Cable Television Cooperative, Inc., (NCTC) have inked a new multi-year agreement that will continue to make Evolution Digital’s robust suite of broadband and Android TV products available to more than 700 independent service providers across the U.S.

As part of the deal, NCTC’s member operators may access Evolution Digital’s leading OpenSync certified devices, enabling Plume’s award-winning SaaS Experience Platform. The deal also provides the option for NCTC members to offer to end-user customers Evolution Digital’s line of Android TV hardware including eSTREAM 4K, EVO FORCE 1 and EVO PRO.

“This new agreement further builds upon the trusted and long-standing relationship between Evolution Digital and NCTC,” said Marc Cohen, chief revenue officer of Evolution Digital. “We are excited to continue our close partnership to enable best-in-breed services for the connected whole-home ecosystem. Evolution Digital’s acumen for delivering the latest innovative technology at a competitive price point, coupled with NCTC’s reliability and efficiency for managing materials and transactions, breeds reliability and promptness with the service providers that we jointly serve. We look forward to working closely with NCTC.”

Lou Borrelli, CEO of NCTC added that “Evolution Digital is simply a great NCTC partner. They are offering our members the Western Hemisphere’s leading Android TV hardware, and terrific software products to our members at the best prices. This is a win-win for all.”

HICKORY, N.C.—Home network solution provider CommScope has announced that Telenor Sverige AB is deploying its VIP5702W set top powered by Google's Android TV to customers in Sweden. 

“Telenor Sverige is a leading service provider that wants to grow its business with a new video offering,” said Phil Cardy, vice president, international PLM, Home Networks, CommScope. “By using a solution powered by Android TV from the Home Networks’ business, Telenor Sverige will deliver a great viewing experience to its customers with its own branded user interface using a solution that is compact and easy to install.”

The VIP5702W set top delivers ultra-high definition 4K video and comes with dual-band selectable Wi-Fi for flexible deployment in Telenor’s managed networks. The set top also provides users with a state-of-the-art interface and Android TV features for an enhanced viewing experience, CommScope said. 

“We are excited to offer our customers a new TV and entertainment experience by deploying CommScope’s innovative set top solution,” said Hanna Idstam, manager TV and media, Telenor Sverige AB. “CommScope’s expertise in deploying solutions powered by Android TV enabled us to deliver a rich, entertainment offering that our customers have come to expect.”

The set top’s live and on-demand viewing experience on the set top uses 24i’s software platform which supports attractive features such as unified search and single sign-on while allowing the Telenor team to build and design its own user interfaces.

“24i is delighted to support our friends at Telenor Sverige with its on-going service enhancement, including the rollout of this new generation of Android TV set tops, powered by the same 24i software platform that brings the Telenor Sverige customer experience to existing set tops, iOS and Android mobile phones as well as Apple TV devices,” said Dr. Neale Foster, CEO, 24i.

HICKORY, N.C.—Home network solution provider CommScope has announced that Orange Belgium is providing its subscribers with CommScope’s latest generation Android TV set tops that are designed to provide both live television and premium streaming services.

“There is no doubt that the viewing habits of our subscribers have evolved and that means our services and devices must evolve as well,” said Thomas Parvais, director fixed access broadband & TV services. “Through our partnership with CommScope, we are excited to offer our subscribers with a state-of-the-art set top that enhances their live and premium streaming entertainment viewing and provides them with the services they have come to expect.”

The launch of this new set top involved the successful integration of Orange eco-system partners coupled with CommScope’s software, the companies said. 

The set top will provide Orange Belgium subscribers with the next generation of connected 4K UHD digital video decoder providing OTT streaming services, on-demand, and broadcast TV services. 

Subscribers will have access to a variety of premium streaming apps, a new multi-screen cloud recording service, and the ability to cast movies, music and more to the TV with Chromecast built-in. 

With a microphone built into the remote control, subscribers can talk to Google to easily search for movies and shows, control their TV and smart home devices, get answers, and more, the companies said. 

“Service providers recognize the value to the consumer in enhancing their live and on-demand TV services with an easy-to-use TV experience,” said Phil Cardy, vice president, international PLM, home networks, CommScope. “We are excited by our partnership with Orange Belgium and to provide them with a next generation, high-quality solution that gives their subscribers the services and entertainment they have come to expect.”

The casings for the set top and its remote control are manufactured with 99 percent post-consumer recycled plastics. CommScope eliminated all single-use plastics in the packaging, aligning with both CommScope and Orange Belgium’s strong commitment to reducing environmental impact, the companies said.

Orange Belgium represents the second affiliate CommScope has deployed with Android TV devices, the first being Orange Slovensko in August 2021. CommScope and Orange also said they will continue to launch similar platforms to additional affiliates throughout the course of 2022.

NEW YORK—CNN+ has launched in the U.S. with some significant gaps in its streaming distribution, with the service available on desktop, Amazon Fire TV, Android phones and tablets and Apple devices but not Roku, Android TV or Google TV. 

The lack of support for the service on Roku, Android TV and Google TV means that CNN+ is not available on some of the most popular devices for streaming video to smart TVs. 

At launch, the streaming service will offer 8-12 live daily shows, in addition to an extensive slate of weekly programming, new CNN+ Original Series, and a library of more than 1,000 hours of award-winning programming from the CNN Original Series and CNN Films teams. 

The service also offers on demand programming and the Interview Club interactive platform, which allows subscribers to drive the conversation and be part of the story by interacting with anchors and journalists.  

On the platforms supporting CNN+, users can download the CNN app, which will contain both the CNN+ subscription service and access to the existing TV everywhere experience for pay TV subscribers, including the live TV feeds of CNN, CNN International and HLN as well as a robust on-demand offering. 

Those who sign up in the first four weeks after launch will get half off, which is currently $2.99 a month. Subsequent subscribers can access the service for $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year.

STUTTGART, Germany, SEONGNAM, Korea and OSLO, Norway—3 Screen Solutions (3SS) and Kaon Media have announced that they’ve completed their hybrid STB (set-top box) integration for Nordic pay-TV giant Allente. 

The integration makes Allente one of the world’s first operators to complete Google Common Broadcast Stack integration for an Android TV Operator Tier STB. The project was completed in just six months thanks to close collaboration between Allente, Kaon Media, Nagra, Broadcom, 3SS and Google.

Google created its standardized Common Broadcast Stack (CBS) to accelerate the reach of Android TV OS worldwide. Announced in October 2020, CBS will help more TV viewers to get the next-generation app-rich services. 

Adopting CBS will allow for easier and faster integration for hybrid Android TV OS devices, accelerated time-to-market, simplified upgrades and reduced overall total cost of ownership, the companies said. 

The partnership of 3SS and Kaon to deliver Allente’s new service was announced in October 2020. Powerful hybrid Kaon BCM72180 PVR STBs will be available to Allente’s over 1 million subscribers, with Nagra Media CAS, Broadcom 72180 SoC and based on 3SS UX technology, in Q3 2021.

“We congratulate Allente for becoming one of the first operators in the world to leverage the Common Broadcast Stack, and in working closely with world-class technology partners, elevating the digital entertainment user experience for consumers,” commented Matthias Puschmann, strategic Android TV partner development manager at Google.

Allente was formed from the merger of Viasat Consumer and Canal Digital in May 2020, and offers TV via satellite, streaming and other services including IPTV and fibre broadband via open networks to customers in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.

Jon Espen Nergård, Allente CTO, said, “Completion of our STB integration so rapidly is a clear testament to the technology, engineering skill and dedication to customer satisfaction from our partners KAON and 3SS, and indeed those of our wider partnership of collaborators which includes Nagra, Broadcom and of course Google.”

Kaon STB middleware is fully integrated with the Android TV software stack to enable new pre-certified Android TV capabilities such as Custom Over-The-Air Update, among others, further accelerating the introduction of new appealing features.

“We are extremely proud to be the first OEM to complete STB integration on a Broadcom SoC with Nagra CAS seamlessly integrated with UX delivered by 3SS,” commented Tom Buhl, Kaon Media executive vice president. 

“The rapid pace of integration with our highly esteemed partners could hardly be more powerful evidence of the many benefits made possible by the Google Common Broadcast Stack,” he added.

“Our ongoing partnership of trust with Allente is a source of tremendous pride for the entire team at 3SS,” commented Kai-Christian Borchers, managing director of 3SS. “In becoming one of the world’s first service providers to embrace Google’s Common Broadcast Stack, Allente is blazing a new trail in innovation and customer focus; we eagerly anticipate helping Allente to deliver leading-edge viewing to consumers in the Nordic region,”

NEW YORK—Cable operator Altice has notably ramped up its streaming efforts with the launch of a new streaming device that will give its broadband-only customers thousands of apps and streaming services on Google Play and over 50 free live streaming channels.

"As more consumers turn to streaming content for their entertainment needs, we are pleased to introduce Stream for our Optimum and Suddenlink broadband-only customers to bring a robust array of free, live, and subscription-based content right to their fingertips,” said Hakim Boubazine, president of telecommunications and chief operating officer. “Now, our broadband-only customers who prefer to stream content can simply rely on our new device for their favorite apps, news, and entertainment programming, and our 1 Gig customers get the benefit of receiving it free with their service.”   

In launching its own streaming device, Altice joins operators like Comcast who are offering broadband customers streaming devices and beefed up streaming offerings to strengthen their broadband business as more customers cut traditional pay TV services. 

The company noted that Optimum Stream and Suddenlink Stream will allow customers to streaming popular streaming apps such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, and Discovery+ that are preselected for easy set up; add thousands of apps available to download on Google Play; play 4K HDR and Dolby Vision content; voice search across live streaming TV and apps to find content; and stream live TV.

The 50 plus free live streaming channels available through the Optimum Stream and Suddenlink Stream apps include live news from News 12, i24NEWS and Cheddar News, children’s entertainment from Kabillion, lifestyle entertainment from Bon Appetit, Wired, and Reelz.

The Android-based devices use Google Assistant, allowing users to use voice commands to search for content, control their TV and smart devices, get answers to questions, plan their day, and more.

The new streaming device is available for free to Optimum and Suddenlink broadband-only customers who select 1 Gig service or the highest broadband speed available in their service area. It is available to all other Optimum and Suddenlink broadband-only customers for $5 per month. 

FRISCO, Texas—MediaKind has launched Mediaroom Play, a new client solution that enables rapid deployment by operators of set-top boxes powered by Android TV.

The Mediaroom Play is a pre-integrated, robust solution. Pre-integration includes CommScope’s latest VIP7802 set top using Broadcom’s 72180 system-on-a-chip (SoC), ruwido remote control unit and support for many premium streaming service applications. This pre-integration ensures Mediaroom Play is ready for the future with further integrations of Third-Party Publishing (3PP) applications, the company said.

Mediaroom Play increases an operator’s aggregation value with access to more than 7,000 applications and games available on the Google Play Store. The integration also enables new monetization opportunities, such as revenue shares on the Google Play Store and Google Ads, it said.

Together the new offering and its custom launcher user interface give consumers the ability to access games, utilities, communications, securing and home automation. The solution also opens up free value-added features from Google for the consumer and operator, such as Google Assistant, YouTube, Accessibility Services, the application update tool GOTA and the First Time Configuration Wizard, MediaKind said.

“We are delighted to integrate our world-leading Mediaroom media platform with Android TV by launching our new client solution,” said Raul Aldrey, MediaKind chief product officer.

“With this major new investment, we are enabling existing and new Mediaroom customers to rapidly launch modern video services that meet today’s consumers’ needs while also encompassing the vast array of converged experiences offered by Android TV,” he said. “The pre-integrated, robust solution enables our customers to evolve from being video-only service providers to multiservice providers, tapping into Android TV’s abundant consumer experience offerings.”

Core Mediaroom components and services remain, including video on demand (VOD), Timeshift TV, PF application framework and Mediaroom audio-video delivery.

Other features include:

• Support for Release 10 of the Android TV operating system 
• Widevine DRM support
• Enhanced cloud DVR features
• Data, reporting and analytics capabilities 

More information is available on the company’s website. 

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Minerva Networks and SDMC have teamed on an Android TV-based integration for pay-TV operators that is designed to support Android TV deployments across all network streaming types.

According to Minerva, its collaboration with SDMC can work with DSL, fiber to the home, fixed wireless, QUAM and mobile networks. The setup pairs the Minerva 10 platform with SDMC’s STB, which becomes part of a turnkey platform that offers a range of TV functionality, including catch-up TV, restart TV, personal video recording, recommendations and binge watching.

“This flexibility gives operators the ability to launch sooner and avoid having to deploy a new network infrastructure to support a modern TV service,” said Randy Osborne, senior vice president of Worldwide Sales, Minerva Networks.

For more information, visit www.minervanetworks.com.  

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—Google’s Android TV now has the power to turn old PCs into TV streaming devices thanks to the newly developed Android TV x86 app.

Created by XDA Senior Members AmznUser444 Dev, the Android TV x86 app brings apps, games and media content from a PC to a TV screen. The app is based on Android 9 Pie and it requires a 1.2 GHz dual-core 64-bit capable processor with a typical Intel/NVIDIA/AMD GPU having 64MB of memory.

However, the app does have a handful of limitations: audio comes from the PC, not the TV; there is currently no Chromecast support; Netflix is only available on the mobile version; and HD video streaming from Netflix and Amazon Prime are not available at this time. While the new app concedes mainstream TV streaming devices provide a better experience, this app is free and just needs an unused PC.

The app is now available for download.

LONDON—TiVo is rolling out its new CubiTV service, which is designed to allow operators to utilize the Android TV Operator Tier and its benefits.

CubiTV is a pre-integrated system that delivers an immersive user experience with an operator-branded interface that accesses the Google Assistant search and browse functionality. Using this with Android TV ecosystem, operators can boost customer experience with OTT content, apps and games, as well as services like Google Assistant on TV and IoT integrations.

CubiTV for Android TV also gives operators the ability to add features through a STB-agnostic architecture; possible upgrades include TiVo’s personalized content discovery platform.

Deployment options for CubiTV leverage the CubiTV DVB stack and pre-conditional access and STB integrations.

TiVo is planning to publicly demonstrate CubiTV for Android TV at the 2019 Connected TV World Summit in London from March 27-28.

ENGLEWOOD, COLO.—AirTV, a subsidiary of Dish that’s focused on products for pay TV cord-cutters, has released a “Local Channels DVR” beta for the Android TV-powered AirTV Player that enables users to record shows from over-the-air broadcast TV channels.

The free beta, open to all AirTV Player customers, requires that customers purchase and connect an external storage device to record OTA channels from broadcasters such as ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. That feature adds to Sling TV’s in-app Cloud DVR service. Dish’s Sling TV OTT TV service has been integrated with the AirTV Player, a product that was introduced in January 2017, but a subscription to Sling TV is not required for the Local Channels DVR offering.

The beta for the AirTV Player also includes an integrated DVR menu, with recorded OTA content appearing in the same menu as Sling TV Cloud DVR recordings. AirTV Player users can record one show at a time and set single-episode or series recordings via the menu.

The DVR beta is emerging as Dish’s AirTV unit faces off with competitors, including Channel Master, Nuvyyo/Tablo and TiVo, that have also developed OTA/OTT combo devices tailored for cord-cutters.

AirTV recommends several storage devices, such as the SanDisk Ultra 128 GB Thumb Drive, SanDisk Cruzer Glide 64 GB and 128 GB Thumb Drive, Western Digital My Passport or Easy Store 1 TB Hard Drive, and Seagate Expansion 500 GB Hard Drive. AirTV also notes that while USB thumb drives work for recording and playback, a hard drive is recommended for “optimal performance.”

AirTV also lists out several limitations for the new DVR beta. Among them, recordings are not playable until the program has completely finished recording (though users can continue to each the channel live as the recording is being made); recordings canceled before completion of the program will not be saved to the DVR; and recordings are only viewable via the AirTV Player where the recordings were made (i.e. they can’t be transferred to another device or played back on another AirTV Player), and rescanning for local channels will also remove all future recordings.

[AirTV Player First Product From AirTV]

"AirTV continuously pushes to meet consumer demand for a better cord cutting and OTA experience," Mitch Weinraub, director of product development for AirTV, said in a statement. “With the introduction of Local Channels DVR and the existing Sling TV Cloud DVR on AirTV Player, customers can now watch and record both OTA and OTT programs, imitating traditional pay-TV for a fraction of the cost."

Update: Dish confirmed that the new DVR beta program is only for the AirTV Player, and not for a newer AirTV box that was soft-launched late last year that lets users access and stream OTA TV channels in and out of the home.

This story originally appeared on TVT's sister publication Multichannel News.   

STUTTGART, GERMANY—3 Screen Solutions, a provider of customized software solutions and services for multiscreen digital entertainment, will be present at the upcoming CES 2018 show with its 3Ready Custom Launcher. The 3Ready Rapid-Launch STB + Multiscreen system will be part of Google’s presentation of its Android TV Operator Tier system.

3SS debuted the 3Ready system in September 2016 and is designed to help service providers fast-track service launches for IPTV, OTT, satellite STB, cable STB and/or multiscreen devices. The system can help optimize Android-based STB and multiscreen deployments.

The 3Ready system works with the Android TV Operator Tier System, which now includes the new Android Oreo platform, to deliver new features, like pre-integrated Netflix and the ability to engage with subscribers directly.

CES 2018 will take place in Las Vegas from Jan. 9-12.

LOS ANGELES— ABC and the Disney channels are now available via Android TV. The apps for ABC, Freeform (formerly ABC Family), Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD have launched on the platform, which was released two years ago and is available on a growing list of smart TVs and peripherals.

Freeform and Disney viewers who sign-in with a pay TV service can watch a 24-hour live stream and have next-day access to the most recent shows. ABC’s viewers who sign in have next-day access to shows, and those in ABC-owned station and Hearst affiliate markets can watch the 24-hour live stream. Each app also features programming and events specific to their audiences.

The Android TV platform now features the likes of Netflix and Hulu—which comprises ABC and Disney programming along side that of Fox, NBC and a host of cable nets. Adding the apps for the individual networks, however, puts the brands on a higher tier menu alongside Hulu rather than inside of it.

The apps provide direct access to several popular series, including “Designated Survivor” (ABC), “Modern Family” (ABC), “Pretty Little Liars” (Freeform), “Shadowhunters” (Freeform), “The Fosters” (Freeform), “K.C. Undercover” (Disney Channel), “Girl Meets World” (Disney Channel), “Elena of Avalor” (Disney Junior), “Doc McStuffins” (Disney Junior), “Future Worm” (Disney XD) and “Star Wars Rebels” (Disney XD)—both live and on-demand.

Android TV is available on Sony Bravia HD & 4KTVs, Sharp Aquos Android TVs, Google Nexus Players, the Nvidia Shield Android TV Box, Razer Forge TV, Philips Android smart TVs, RCA Android TV and more recently, the $69 Xiaomi Mi Box, with an HDMI 2.0a output designed to handle 4K, 6o fps and high-dynamic range content.

The Disney|ABC Television Group’s apps enables nationwide access to full episodes of current programming on their desktop, mobile and connected TV devices.

The Disney|ABC Television Group currently has deals with the following pay TV providers: Comcast, Cablevision, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, DirecTV, DISH, Midcontinent Communications, Verizon FiOS, Google Fiber and AT&T U-verse, among others.

STOCKHOLM—Ericsson is joining forces with Google in an effort to expand the offerings of Pay TV. As part of the two companies’ alliance Ericsson’s cloud-based MediaFirst TV platform will integrate with Google’s Android TV to provide a new pathway to extend its set-top box options.

MediaFirst TV operators will now have access to the Android TV ecosystem, allowing them to offer services that include 4K-UHD Live TV channels, video-on-demand, catch-up TV and cloud DVR to a larger subscriber base. Ericsson will also be able to deliver pre-integrated set-top box solutions that support hybrid configurations for satellite, cable, terrestrial, and fixed and mobile broadband TV.

“Our partnership with Google will empower operators of all sizes and resources to take control and leverage multiple monetization and partnership opportunities offered by Android TV, enabling them to deliver experiences to their audiences that fully integrate their Pay TV services with Android TV applications and OTT services,” said Shiva Patibanda, head of Business Line TV Platforms at Ericsson.