TiVo OS Unveils Smart TV Updates Focused on Live Content and Discovery
Live TV recommendations join streaming content as platform chases discoverability
TiVo OS rolled out several updates at CES 2026 to make content discovery more intuitive, with a particular focus on surfacing live programming alongside streaming content.
The operating system powering TVs from Sharp, Vestel, and Panasonic across Europe is adding autoplay video trailers on the home screen, enhanced voice search, and integrated live TV recommendations. The updates address a common complaint with smart TV interfaces: they’re optimized for on-demand content at the expense of live viewing.
What’s Changed
Autoplay trailers now feature in TiVo’s home screen “hero unit”—the prominent content showcase viewers see on startup. Video previews play automatically, giving a quick sense of what’s available without requiring clicks. Whether this improves the experience or just adds noise depends on execution.
Voice search is getting improvements in accuracy and discoverability across multiple languages and regions. TiVo hasn’t provided technical specifics, but better natural language processing would address longstanding frustrations with smart TV voice controls that rarely understand what you’re actually asking for.
The more substantive change is integrating live programming into recommendations. Most smart TV interfaces bury live content beneath layers of streaming apps, which makes sense for Netflix marathons but less so when there’s a live match or breaking news. Surfacing time-sensitive content alongside on-demand shows acknowledges that viewing habits haven’t entirely shifted to streaming.
The new “Partner Picks” carousel gives content providers a dedicated row for their own recommendations. It’s a pragmatic solution—platforms and content providers often disagree on what should be promoted, and this separates editorial curation from algorithmic recommendations.
Sports Coverage Expands
TiVo is broadening sports coverage with the official NBA app and free channels including NASCAR, Tennis TV, and Red Bull TV. For a platform operating across Europe’s fragmented sports rights landscape, aggregating multiple sources could provide value—assuming the channels available actually match what viewers in each market want to watch.
Sports remain appointment viewing even as most other content shifts to on-demand, so platforms that can aggregate live sports effectively have a clear advantage.
Content Partnerships
New content deals include Crunchyroll for anime, Cineverse for films, and iHeartRadio for audio. The additions broaden TiVo’s content offering across demographics, though none appear to be exclusive arrangements that would differentiate the platform from competitors.
Beyond Smart TVs
TiVo OS is expanding into set-top boxes, soundbars, and mini-LED monitors, moving beyond its core TV focus. Device diversification follows a similar path to Roku and Amazon Fire TV, which have both expanded their hardware footprint beyond streaming sticks.
The platform now supports resolutions from 2K to 4K, covering both budget and premium segments.
The Positioning Challenge
TiVo operates as an independent platform in a space dominated by Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, Roku, and manufacturer-owned systems from Samsung and LG. The company’s pitch centers on platform neutrality—they’re not owned by a retailer or content provider with competing interests.
That independence appeals to TV manufacturers wary of ceding control to tech giants, but only if TiVo can match the features and content deals offered by the big players. Geir Skaaden, Xperi’s Chief Product Officer, positioned the updates around simplification: “Our mission is to simplify and enrich television for everyone.”
Does It Work?
The success of these updates hinges on execution. Better voice search, autoplay trailers, and integrated live content all sound beneficial, but smart TV interfaces are littered with features that seemed good in concept but proved clunky in practice.
TiVo’s bet is that aggregation and curation—rather than pushing users toward a specific content ecosystem—will resonate with viewers navigating an increasingly fragmented landscape. Whether that’s enough to gain traction against better-resourced competitors operating at massive scale remains an open question.
The platform is being demonstrated at CES 2026 in Las Vegas (West Hall, Booth 4041). Features will roll out to existing TiVo-powered TVs across Europe over the coming months.
