Samsung Tizen, LG webOS Smart TV Operating Systems Now Available On Third-Party TV Brands

By this point, the smart TV industry has mainly been dominated by a small number of well-known platforms including Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV, with Google’s Android controlling the majority of it. Now, Google TV is about to face a new threat as Samsung and LG are extending their Tizen and WebOS-based systems to other smart TV makers. Google recently released an improved Google TV which will now face the heat.

Over the last week, both Samsung and LG announced that they will make their respective smart TV operating systems, WebOS and Tizen, available to other TV manufacturers. Other brands will be granted licenses to utilise the platform. Historically, only their own versions of smart TVs have been allowed to use these platforms for commercial use. A strong network of 200 Partner Brands in LG’s “WebOS Hub” will feature products from companies including Seiki, Eko, Stream System, Konka, Aiwa, and Hyundai. Meanwhile Samsung’s Tizen OS will be adopted by TV manufacturers including Bauhn, Linsar, Sunny, and Vispera.

In the case of LG, the WebOS Hub will allow for a range of UI customizations, like fine-tuning the Home screen’s colour scheme, applying a visual style aligned with their branding, or adding a logo for visibility. LG is allowing smart TV makers to distinguish their products while delivering a more comprehensive and engaging user experience by giving them the flexibility to customise webOS Hub. These webOS Hub-powered TVs will be marketed internationally.

The Samsung-branded Tizen OS for third-party TV makers will be comparable with the standard Tizen OS and come with support for Samsung TV Plus, Universal Guide, and the Bixby voice assistant. Australia will be the first market to receive Tizen OS-based TV, with Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom following later in 2022.