Samsung has announced that it is making its open-source Tizen operating system available to third-party smart TV manufacturers for the first time. In another first, Smart TVs which use the operating system will also have access to Samsung TV Plus – the company’s FAST service.
The move will see Samsung TV Plus deepen its geographical smart TV footprint, with new TVs offering the service being sold in markets including Italy, Spain, Turkey, New Zealand, the United States and the UK.
Original Device Manufacturers (ODMs) expected to use Tizen OS include Atmaca, HKC and Tempo, with new smart TVs under brands Akai, Bauhn, Linsar (distributed by Tempo) being available as of this month in Australia. Additional brands, including Vispera (distributed by HKC) based on the operating system will be made available in Q4 of this year.
Yongjae Kim, EVP of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, said: “2022 has been a memorable year for Tizen OS as we celebrate its 10th anniversary and the very first Tizen-powered smart TVs available from other brands. Starting with these new Tizen-powered smart TVs, we will continue to expand the licensing program and introduce Tizen OS and its ecosystem to more products and brands around the world.”
According to Samsung, there are currently 200 million people from 197 countries who use Samsung smart TVs powered by Tizen.
