When people think about streaming, they usually picture mobile apps or websites. But the biggest screen in the house – the TV – is still the king of entertainment.

And when it comes to Smart TVs, Samsung’s Tizen OS has quietly claimed a massive part of the market. In fact, according to Statista, Tizen powers nearly 13% of all smart TV streaming devices worldwide.

For media companies, this creates a significant opportunity to connect directly with audiences through Smart TVs, offering everything from live broadcasts to on-demand video services. But before you start thinking about building your presence on Samsung TVs, it’s worth understanding what makes Tizen OS so important. In this article, we’ll explore what Tizen is, how it works, how it compares to Android TV, and why it’s becoming a key platform for reaching today’s viewers.

What is Tizen OS?

Tizen OS is a Linux-based operating system designed as an open-source platform for connected devices. Developed collaboratively by Samsung, Intel, and the Linux Foundation, Tizen provides both developers and users with the ability to modify and customise its functionality according to specific needs.

Since its launch in 2012, the system has evolved significantly from its roots in the Samsung Linux Platform (SLP) to support an expanding range of products.

At its core, Tizen works like a digital interpreter between you and your television. Think of it as the invisible manager that handles everything happening behind your TV screen. When you press a button on your remote to open Netflix or browse channels, the operating system takes your command, finds the right application, and displays it for you.

Every time you interact with your Samsung TV – whether changing volume, switching inputs, or launching a game – the user-friendly interface you see is created and managed by the operating system working quietly in the background.

As an open-source solution, Tizen offers exceptional development flexibility while delivering optimised performance across various device categories. The system serves as the foundation for numerous Samsung devices, including Samsung Smart TVs, wearable devices like the Galaxy Watch series, and smart home appliances.

This multi-device compatibility creates a cohesive ecosystem where different products can communicate and work together seamlessly.

How does Tizen OS work?

Tizen OS powers your Samsung TV through several distinct steps working together behind the scenes. First, when you turn on your television, the system boots up and loads its essential components into memory. This startup process prepares the foundation needed for all other operations.

Next, the operating system establishes connections with your home network and any nearby paired devices, such as speakers or smartphones. This connectivity layer ensures your TV can access the internet for streaming services and communicate with other smart devices.

Once connected, Tizen loads the user-friendly interface you see on screen, including the home menu and application icons. This visual layer is specifically designed to be easy to navigate with your remote control.

When you select an app or channel, the Tizen OS handles the request by allocating system resources to run that particular application. It opens the necessary files, manages memory usage, and coordinates communication between hardware components, such as the processor and graphics system.

Throughout your viewing experience, the operating system continues working silently in the background, processing new commands from your remote, updating content from online sources, and maintaining overall system stability on your Smart TV.

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Benefits of Tizen OS for Smart TVs

When you use a Samsung Smart TV, you’re experiencing the benefits of Tizen OS – a platform designed to improve your viewing experience in several ways.

Easy to use

Tizen feels light and responsive – no more waiting for menus to load or apps to start. You’ll notice how quickly you can navigate around, whether you’re switching between Netflix and YouTube or adjusting your settings.

Power efficiency

Unlike some power-hungry systems (looking at you, Android operating system), Tizen is careful with resources. This means your Samsung devices run longer on a charge, especially important for phones and smartwatches.

Wide compatibility

Got a Samsung phone? Just tap to share your photos or videos to your TV screen. But the Tizen platform isn’t just limited to Samsung products. Through SmartThings, your TV works with most Android phones and even iOS-based devices.

Smart home hub

Your Samsung Tizen TV can be the control centre for your connected home. Through the SmartThings app, you can manage various IoT devices right from your couch. The system learns your preferences over time, making your smart home feel truly like your own.

Regular updates

Tizen receives frequent software updates that introduce new features and improve existing ones. Samsung consistently enhances the platform with performance optimisations and security patches that keep your TV running smoothly. This ongoing development means your smart TV becomes more capable over time.

Security

Tizen protects your data by keeping apps separated from each other – if one has a problem, it won’t affect the others. This makes activities like shopping or banking on your smart TV much more secure.

Seamless streaming

When watching shows from streaming services, you’ll notice less buffering and better picture quality. Tizen is specially tuned to make streaming video look its best, even in 4K.

Voice command support

Just say what you want with Bixby, Google Assistant, or Alexa support. “Show me action movies” or “turn down the volume” – your Samsung Tizen TV understands and responds.

Personalised recommendations

The system pays attention to what you watch and suggests similar shows and movies you might enjoy. It’s like having a friend who knows your taste in entertainment perfectly.

Developer customisation

As an open-source operating system backed by the Linux Foundation, Tizen gives programmers remarkable freedom to modify and enhance the platform. Developers can create specialised applications, custom interfaces, and innovative solutions that wouldn’t be possible with closed systems. This openness encourages technical creativity and allows for tailored experiences that go beyond the standard features.

Why did Samsung choose the Tizen operating system over Android?

You might wonder why Samsung, a major player in the industry, developed its own Tizen OS instead of adopting Android TV, like many other manufacturers.

The decision comes down to ecosystem control and market differentiation. By developing Tizen, Samsung maintains complete authority over the platform’s direction, integration capabilities, and monetisation models.

This strategic choice allows them to create a unified experience across their device portfolio while reducing dependency on Google’s ecosystem. For content publishers, this means navigating two distinct environments with different development requirements and potential audience reach.

Samsung Tizen OS vs. Android TV: key differences

How does Samsung Smart TV App development work?

Developing apps for Samsung Smart TVs is different from building for smartphones or websites. TV screens are large, viewed from a distance, and navigated with a remote, so apps must be simple, intuitive, and fast.

Samsung allows developers to use familiar web technologies like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript. While this lowers the entry barrier, creating a high-quality TV app still requires:

Samsung supports developers with Tizen Studio, a toolkit that includes simulators and publishing tools. Once complete, apps can be distributed via the Samsung Smart Hub, reaching millions of users.

But building a successful TV app is more than coding. It requires:

  • Designing a clean, easy-to-use interface
  • Ensuring smooth video playback and system stability
  • Integrating features like voice control, SmartThings, and cloud gaming
  • Handling the certification process with precision

For advanced projects, Samsung also supports building Smart TV apps using .NET technologies, offering even more flexibility for complex, enterprise-level solutions.

Samsung TV success starts with great Tizen app development

Tizen OS powers millions of Samsung Smart TVs worldwide, creating a major opportunity for media companies to connect with viewers on the biggest screen at home. Whether you’re exploring new ways to distribute your content or planning to launch your first Smart TV application, Tizen app development offers the flexibility and performance you need.

At Spyrosoft BSG, we help businesses from the media and entertainment industry design, build, and launch Smart TV applications tailored for Samsung’s Tizen platform.

Our Connected TV App Framework and deep industry expertise ensure smooth development, faster certification, and an exceptional viewing experience for your audience.

Ready to explore the next steps? Discover what we can do together.

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About the author

Oliwia Weglarz

Business Researcher