Four Viewer Trends That Will Define TV And Streaming In 2026
For those building entertainment technology, the key is shielding viewers from complexity and letting them settle into a lean-back, low-friction experience.
www.forbes.comInteractive formats are expanding with viewers action-ready TV experiences, driven by creator-led ads and personalized content. AI features and 4K/8K streaming driving smart TV apps toward seamless experiences, while bundles and ease of use remain key to retention in 2026. Emerging platforms aim to incorporate AI tools and immersive features, shaping a more dynamic, user-centric TV app ecosystem. These trends appear at early industry events, appearing at major showcases, appeared at conferences, and driven rapid benchmarking across devices. Shoppable formats and actionable content continue redefine engagement. Smart TV apps provide bundles for retention and ease-of-use as a central feature. AI tools are shaping discovery and immersive experiences, accelerating a user-centric TV landscape. Multi-device compatibility remains essential for cross-device viewing and synchronization.