TikTok launches Android TV version, currently only available in the UK, France and Germany

According to foreign media theverge , a TikTok for Android TV application, which is the Android TV version of TikTok , was launched on the Google Play app store for the first time on February 3 .

However, the Android TV version of TikTok is not launched simultaneously around the world. It is reported that the application currently only supports the United Kingdom, France and Germany , and TikTok has not disclosed when it will be further expanded to other countries.

In addition, the Android TV version of TikTok supports devices including: Android selected TVs from Sony , Hisense , TCL , Skyworth , Sharp , Phillips , Xiaomi, Panasonic and Toshiba . In addition, TikTok also has a special TV version application for Samsung TVs, which was launched in December 2020.

After opening the Android TV version of TikTok , the playback interface is the same as the mobile version of the app , both of which play vertically on a scrollable page.

TikTok said: " TikTok 's short videos are interesting, real and creative. Now, we're bringing this interesting content to your TV. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, a pet lover, or just looking for something fun, TikTok can meet your needs. " "And now you can watch endless short video content just by lying comfortably on your sofa. "

Users can also access videos in specific categories and their own profiles.

The Android TV version appears to be more comprehensive than what TikTok has launched on Amazon Fire TV, which also features a selection of videos from TikTok that can be watched without logging into an account .

Users who choose to log in will see personalized video content recommended based on their interests, just like using the app on a mobile phone, while users who are not logged in can directly watch the 12 most popular short videos on TikTok , which can be said to be an unprecedented innovation.

The launch of the TV version of TikTok has successfully penetrated the family atmosphere of "family fun". Rich Waterworth , general manager of TikTok in the UK and Europe, said: "This move brings TikTok into a very established behavior, that is, the family sitting together on chairs and sofas to share the joy of watching TV, which has always been a precious part of family life. " It's a bit like watching the Spring Festival Gala.

In this way, TikTok can further diversify its audience and allow the short video trend brought by TikTok to penetrate and become part of mainstream culture.

According to data from Bloomberg, the number of monthly active users of TikTok in the UK in the summer of 2020 was 17 million, accounting for a quarter of the total population of the UK. Among them, 40% of users were between the ages of 18 and 24, and the average daily login time was more than 1 hour. Brendan Gahan , partner and chief social officer of the American creative agency Mekanism , said: " In the past year, TikTok has greatly expanded its user base. Although this trend still favors young people, the number of users of all ages is actually increasing. ”

This move could be a very important strategy for TikTok, which is already far ahead of some of its main competitors. London - based consulting firm Omdia predicts that in the next five years, the number of people watching TikTok short videos on TV in France, Germany and the UK will double, and TikTok 's Android TV version will become the second most popular operating system after Samsung's Tizen .

In addition to expanding its audience and integrating into mainstream culture, TikTok can also increase advertising revenue. Brendan said: " TikTok has entered the field of TV advertising, hinting at its advertising ambitions. "

TikTok is currently generally considered to be an app for young people , so in order to attract more advertisers and compete with other leading platforms such as YouTube , TikTok needs to expand its user reach, so "going on TV" may help it.

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