Yes, the arrival of TikTok on Fire TV – one of the most popular streaming platforms around – means users will be able to watch new videos and well-trodden favourites on the biggest screen in their house. Like the smartphone version of the app, TikTok on Fire TV has dedicated “For You”, “Following” and “Discover” feeds.
The former brings together video clips that TikTok’s algorithm will be best suited to your tastes – based on your viewing history, while the “Following” tab includes only videos from creators you’ve already elected to follow, and finally, the latter includes trending clips and new videos that are gaining traction across the platform.
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TikTok’s expanding experiment with TV-based apps are seen as a ploy to reach a wider audience. However, news site Protocol claims these applications benefit from premium rates associated with TV-based advertising compared to the small screen. The launch of a string of TV apps also coincides with a push into long-form video from TikTok, competing head-to-head with the likes of YouTube and Vimeo.
While TikTok arrived on Fire TV devices, including set-top boxes and Smart TVs with the software built-in, in the United States in August last year, the video app did land on Samsung Smart TVs, Google TV and Android TV gadgets back in February. The latter was exclusive to Europe, with American fans with a Samsung TV unable to stream TikTok right now.
Rich Waterworth, General Manager, TikTok UK, said: “We’re excited to bring the creativity and joy of TikTok to Amazon’s Fire TV devices in France, Germany and the UK. TikTok TV app on Fire TV will be a new way for people to come together and enjoy videos from some of our most popular content categories on the big screen. Whether it’s learning a new skill or just having some fun together watching what you love, now more than ever, this is a brilliant way for people to be entertained by their favourite TikTok content together at home.”
With any luck, all of these quirks will be ironed-out and TikTok will be available on TVs worldwide.