How to choose an Android tv box? - A guide for TV Operators

Overview

• Android TV and Google TV are becoming more and more popular with each passing day. Android TV-powered Set-top Boxes (STBs) are also becoming quite common in the TV Operator industry, going so far as to actually call it a trend. It reduces the time-to-market, and offers users brand new streaming services, with virtually no integration efforts.

 

• In this article, we are going to break down how an Android Device can help you in this particular segment.  

Android TV or AOSP devices? 

The business considerations for operators

onsumers are willing to accept "better" TV, and Operators have the power of "pricing". But getting something usable

out there is hard, and needs a collaboration between many suppliers. Unlike consumers who like to be "spoilt for choice",

operators are stuck with hard choices they need to make - which often have long term business consequences.

A big question operators have is whether they should do "Android TV" - certified by Google, "AOSP".

Here are a few things useful to know:

• A completed Hybrid box - something that brings the consumer Broadcast TV as well as Apps together in one platform has 4 main components to it.​​​​

 

1.  1. Android Open Source Platform
   The core operating system layer that packages everything the hardware and firmware has to offer. 
2. 2. Google Apps
   A Google-certified Android TV device will compulsorily bundle a few Google-proprietary apps. For operators, a few Google apps are optional. Eg: The Standard Android TV launcher, and the Live Channels app. When an operator decides to get the device certified by Google it largely means he signs up for some constraints.
3. 3. Third party Apps
   Apps like Netflix, Hotstar, Prime, Hungama, Hooq, Zee5, SunNxt are must-haves in any TV offering today. Getting an app on board is largely a business discussion between the operator and the App maker.
4. 4.Operator Apps
   Operators need to look at themselves as eCommerce players, but for media consumption. Operator Apps are the "storefront" for their content store. Operators do not make money on the box itself - something that is largely subsidised in order to retain the customer subscription. Operators that do not bundle enough of their own "storefront" will see subscription revenue slowly drift away to compelling Third party Apps. Operator Apps must do the tough job of engaging their customer base.

Who makes each part of the essential components of a Hybrid STB?

ODMs do a bulk of the heavy-lifting, and in collaboration with DRM, CAS vendors and Google.Once the operator is signed up, a Google certification process is managed by the ODM

and the box is ready to hit the market.

Is there a non-Google alternative?

Given the momentum behind Android, and given that many OTT apps are available already in Android, a few operators have considered sticking to AOSP (Android Open Source Platform),

having their boxes devoid of Google apps, and non-certified by Google.

 

There are a few pros to this:

 

1.  tv box.The operator has much better strategic control on the android
2. The smart tv boxes are probably faster to market - with more hardware and software options available.
3. Geo-specific customisations are easier. The Google Assistant may not understand the local languages yet.
4. Competitor apps can be prevented from being installed on the boxes.

What are the revenue possibilities?

The point of going Hybrid is to make more revenue - if not immediately, eventually. Every block in the Hybrid STB offers opportunities for revenue.

Bigger operators will cleverly negotiate a revenue share with Google and monetise better through Ads. They will take a cut out of the subscription

revenues they bring to Third Party Apps. They will ensure their own storefronts make them more revenue.

Any recommended AOSP and Android Tv devices? 

Shenzhen Haochuangyi Technology Co., Ltd is the company that owns the brands "HAKO MiNi (Android ATV)，

H96 Max and H96 Mini" our company was founded in 2013. We specialize in developing, manufacturing and marketing

of Amlogic, Allwinner and Rockchip solutions for the streaming media player industry. 

In addition to retail, we also provide OEM/ODM product design, software and hardware development, as well as

final product manufacturing and delivery to the point of use or sale. We can also carry out industrial design for 

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We warmly welcome OEM/ODM orders from all around the world. 
Many types of industrial devices can be developed, limited only by your imagination. 

Consult Android Tv Box OEM&ODM custom service? contact us >