OEM Overview Series: Deploying on Amazon’s Fire TV

Big screen devices are the go-to choice for streaming, with smart TVs holding the biggest global share of viewing time, at 35.3%, and connected TV devices running a close second with 34.6% (Conviva). The battle for supremacy between the OEMs continues to intensify, with each vying for the prime spot in our living rooms. As both OEMs and corresponding operating systems work to innovate and outsmart the competition, UX is continually improving. This is a good thing for OTT service providers who are at the same time engaged in their own battle to attract users and  grow and strengthen their video service.

This blog post is the latest in our OEM overview series looking at different OEMs as tools for OTT expansion. We’re giving you the lowdown so you can decide which OEMs are the right fit for your OTT service. Having reviewed Roku, Comcast X1, Vizio SmartCast, LG webOS, and Samsung Tizen OS already, next up is Amazon Fire TV.

Global market share

Whether it’s due to its user-friendly and intuitive interface, or its ease of cross-platform integration, one ecosystem that stands out from the crowd is Amazon's Fire TV.  The Fire TV ecosystem boasts a vast user base, making it an attractive platform for content providers. Fire TV devices, including streaming media players, smart TVs, and soundbars, have gained significant popularity worldwide. Last year alone, it reportedly held a 16% market share, the second largest of all the big screen devices. So apart from its expansive reach and vast user base, what else  does Amazon Fire TV offer OTT providers?

Amplifies UX with cross-platform integration and discoverability

Fire TV devices are tightly integrated with Amazon's services, providing users with a seamless experience across multiple devices. By leveraging this integration, OTT services can tap into Amazon's established ecosystem and take advantage of features like voice search through Alexa, and content synchronization across devices. We all know that increasing the visibility and discoverability of content is an important factor in attracting and retaining users, and Fire TV’s advanced recommendation engine makes that possible. By leveraging machine learning algorithms to understand users’ preferences and providing personalized recommendations based on viewing habits, it allows users to quickly find content they want to watch, which enhances UX and improves engagement.

 Wide range of monetization opportunities

Aside from supporting traditional revenue models such as advertising and subscription-based, Fire TV also supports in-app purchases, allowing streaming services to offer premium content and exclusive features. Additionally, it’s possible to integrate live event streaming, which may further unlock monetization opportunities, particularly given the integration with Amazon service. This smooth integration enables service providers to sell physical products through Amazon and also participate in the Amazon Associates Program that offers referral fees for driving sales.

Advanced analytics for data-driven decisions

Fire TV allows OTT providers to access comprehensive analytics and insights about user behavior, engagement metrics, and content performance. These valuable insights enable service providers to make data-driven decisions to optimize content strategy, enhance UX, identify trends to better cater to audience preferences and drive continuous improvement.

How can Accedo support you to deploy on Fire TV?

Accedo has been delivering premium video-centric solutions for nearly two decades and has extensive experience of supporting customers such as Deutsche Telekom's MagentaTV and 4Kuniverse, to launch services on Fire TV. To find out how Accedo can help you realize your goals on Fire TV, so that you can push the boundaries for your OTT service’s growth, get in touch.

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