Seoul, South Korea - Samsung Electronics recently updated its Samsung TV Plus service, a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platform, to version 5.2.
The update, which applies to Samsung Smart TVs starting in 2019, aims to improve the user interface and accessibility of content.
The enhancements affect approximately 2,500 channels and are now available in 24 countries.
Why It Matters:
The update marks a significant step in the evolution of Samsung's TV Plus service, reflecting the company's focus on improving the user experience in the competitive streaming market.
The improvements to the user interface and accessibility of content could potentially impact user engagement and viewing habits.
Key updates include:
- Redesigned user interface: The update includes a complete user interface redesign to make content discovery more intuitive. This consists of a new home screen layout overviews available content and highlights popular and recently watched shows.
- Expanded content categories: The service now includes expanded categories such as Live TV, Movies/TV Shows, Music, Kids, and Settings, offering a more comprehensive range of content options.
- Localized content tabs: The update introduces region-specific tabs that cater to local market preferences. These include a Music tab for the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand, a Kids tab for multiple regions, and a multilingual News tab for India.
- Improved navigation and VOD: Enhancements include more prominent UI elements for more straightforward navigation and improved video-on-demand (VOD) capabilities for instant playback of selected programs.
What They Say:
Yonghoon Choi, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, notes a 60% increase in global viewing time on Samsung TV Plus over the past year.
He attributes this growth to the platform's extensive content library and recent user interface improvements.
What Comes Next:
Samsung's update to TV Plus indicates continued investment in streaming services and user experience enhancements.
The company's approach to integrating localized content and intuitive navigation suggests a strategy focused on remaining competitive in a rapidly evolving digital streaming landscape.
