--- title: "What Is Android TV? A Guide for Streaming Services" description: "Android TV is Google's operating system for televisions and set-top boxes. See how it relates to Google TV and what a streaming app for it needs." url: "https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/android-tv" markdown_url: "https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/android-tv.md" category: "Devices" updated: "2026-10-05" --- # What is Android TV? Android TV is Google's version of Android for televisions, streaming sticks and set-top boxes. It runs on sets from many manufacturers and on operator boxes, and apps for it are distributed through Google Play. ## Android TV and Google TV Google TV is the newer home screen and recommendation layer that runs on top of the Android TV operating system. An app built for Android TV runs on Google TV devices as well, so for a streaming service they are a single target. ## Where Android TV is found - Smart TVs from Sony, TCL, Hisense, Philips and others - Google's own streaming devices - Operator and pay-TV set-top boxes, in a variant customized by the operator - Low-cost boxes and projectors ## What an Android TV app needs - An interface built for a remote control, using Android's TV components - Playback with Media3 ExoPlayer or similar, and Widevine for protected content - Home-screen integration: channels, recommendations and continue watching - Voice search and deep links into titles - A Google Play listing with TV artwork, and approval under Google's TV quality guidelines ## Android TV and Fire TV Amazon's Fire OS is derived from Android, so an Android TV app can be adapted for Fire TV with relatively little change. The two differ in store, billing and some services, which is why they are usually delivered together but submitted separately. ## Android TV on RentAnOTT A RentAnOTT app for Android TV and Fire TV together is $149/month, with store submission included and a 6-month minimum commitment. [See app pricing](https://www.rentanott.com/pricing). ## Related terms - [Fire TV](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/fire-tv) — Fire TV is Amazon's streaming platform. It runs on Fire TV Stick devices, set-top boxes and Fire TV televisions, and its apps are distributed through the Amazon Appstore. - [CTV](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/ctv) — CTV (connected TV) is a television that can stream video over the internet, either because it is a smart TV or because a streaming stick, set-top box or games console is attached to it. - [Smart TV app](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/smart-tv-app) — A smart TV app is an application built to run on a television's operating system or on a streaming device attached to it, and installed from that platform's app store. For a streaming service it is the way viewers watch on the big screen. - [Apple TV](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/apple-tv) — Apple TV is Apple's streaming set-top box, which runs the tvOS operating system. Streaming services reach it by publishing a tvOS app on the App Store. The name is also used for Apple's own TV app and subscription service, which are separate things. - [Widevine](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/widevine) — Widevine is Google's DRM system. It protects streamed video on Android phones and tablets, Android TV and Google TV, Chrome and other browsers, and most smart TVs and streaming devices outside Apple's ecosystem. - [Set-top box](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/set-top-box) — A set-top box (STB) is a device that connects to a television and supplies it with video from a source the television cannot receive by itself, such as a cable, satellite or IPTV service, or streaming apps over the internet. - [App store submission](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/app-store-submission) — App store submission is the process of preparing a streaming app, sending it to a store such as Apple's App Store, Google Play, the Amazon Appstore or a smart TV store for review, and publishing it once approved. - [Native app](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary/native-app) — A native app is an application built specifically for one operating system, such as iOS, Android or tvOS, using that platform's own programming languages and tools, and installed from its app store. It has direct access to the device's video player, DRM, storage and notifications. ## Further reading - [OTT app builder](https://www.rentanott.com/tools/ott-app-builder) - [IP boxes and IPTV explained](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs/ip-box-iptv) - [White-label streaming platform buyer's guide](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs/white-label-streaming-platform) ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Android TV the same as Google TV? Google TV is an interface that runs on the Android TV operating system. Apps made for Android TV work on both. ### Can my Android phone app run on Android TV? Not as it is. The code can be shared, but the interface has to be rebuilt for a remote control and a large screen, and the app must pass Google's TV requirements. ### Which DRM does Android TV use? Widevine. Certified devices support its hardware-backed level, which rights holders require for HD and 4K. All 163 terms: [Streaming and OTT glossary](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary). ## Book a demo Tell RentAnOTT what you are launching. The team walks through the platform and maps the path to go-live around your catalog, markets and revenue model. Book a demo: https://www.rentanott.com/contact ## More from RentAnOTT - [Home](https://www.rentanott.com/index.md) — What RentAnOTT is, what every plan includes, and how launch works - [Features](https://www.rentanott.com/features.md) — Every core feature and optional add-on - [Pricing](https://www.rentanott.com/pricing.md) — Platform tiers, apps, add-ons, usage rates and example bills in INR and USD - [Free tools](https://www.rentanott.com/tools.md) — OTT app builder and calculators for streaming revenue, bandwidth, bitrate and pricing - [Insights](https://www.rentanott.com/blogs.md) — All streaming business articles - [Glossary](https://www.rentanott.com/glossary.md) — Definitions of streaming and OTT terms - [Book a demo](https://www.rentanott.com/contact.md) — Talk to RentAnOTT about your launch Full site in one file: https://www.rentanott.com/llms-full.txt