TikTok TV App Expands to More Devices in US & Canada
TikTok Expands TV App Availability Across North America
In the lead-up to the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, TikTok is increasing its presence in the home entertainment space. The company recently introduced its TV application in North America through a collaboration with Amazon Fire TV.
Currently, TikTok is extending the rollout of its TV app to a wider range of television platforms throughout North America. This includes devices running Google TV and other Android TV operating systems, as well as select models of LG Smart TVs and Samsung Smart TVs.
Redesigned for the Big Screen
The TikTok TV app has been specifically redesigned to optimize the short-form video experience for larger screens.
Users who log in will have access to their personalized “For You” and “Following” feeds. A “Discover” page is also included, showcasing trending content across various categories such as comedy, gaming, food, travel, sports, and animals.
Unlike the mobile version which relies on vertical swiping, the TikTok TV app features an AutoPlay function. This delivers a continuous stream of videos without requiring user interaction.
To effectively display vertical videos on a wider screen, the app utilizes a dimmed background effect. This creates a more engaging visual experience, avoiding the use of simple black bars.
Previous Rollouts and Supported Models
Prior to this expansion, a TikTok TV app was available for Google TV and Android TV in the U.K., France, and Germany. However, it wasn't previously accessible to users in the U.S. and Canada.
Furthermore, TikTok launched its TV app on Samsung TVs in the U.K. last year, with plans to extend availability to most 2021 Samsung smart TVs in the U.S. during the current year.
The updated app now supports LG Smart TV models from 2018 to 2021, running webOS 4.0 through webOS 6.0.
Increased Competition
This expansion positions TikTok as a more direct competitor to YouTube in vying for consumer attention within the living room.
Google’s video platform already boasts a substantial presence in the living room, with over 100 million U.S. users watching YouTube and YouTube TV on their televisions.
According to eMarketer research from October 2021, more than half of U.S. YouTube viewers – approximately 113.1 million individuals – now access the platform through connected TV devices.
Shifting Content Preferences
However, a significant portion of these viewers may prefer longer-form content. YouTube reported a more than 90% increase in watch time for videos exceeding 30 minutes in length over a 12-month period.
This suggests that TV viewers may have a greater interest in extended video formats compared to mobile users. This observation may have influenced TikTok’s earlier decision to increase its maximum video length to three minutes.
TikTok’s User Base
TikTok announced that it has surpassed one billion monthly active users. It is important to note that this figure encompasses numerous markets where the TikTok TV app is not yet available.
The rollout of the new TV app begins today across all supported platforms.
