TiVo Expands iHeartRadio on Smart TVs, Redefining Audio Entertainment in the Living Room
The living room is no longer just a place for television—it’s rapidly becoming the central hub for audio streaming, podcasts, live radio, and interactive entertainment. In a significant move that reinforces this shift, TiVo has expanded its long-standing partnership with iHeartMedia, bringing the iHeartRadio streaming app directly to TiVo OS-powered Smart TVs across the United States.
This strategic expansion signals a growing convergence between audio content and smart television platforms, as companies race to capture consumer attention beyond traditional video. With podcasts, digital radio, and music consumption surging on connected devices, TiVo’s latest integration positions iHeartRadio as a major player in the evolving smart TV ecosystem.
TiVo and iHeartRadio: A Partnership That Evolves With Consumer Habits
For more than a decade, select TiVo devices have offered access to iHeartRadio’s vast catalog of live radio streams. However, the media landscape has changed dramatically since those early integrations. Today’s viewers expect on-demand access to audio content, seamless navigation, and cross-device continuity—all from their television screens.
Recognizing this shift, Xperi’s TiVo Platform Technologies has expanded its collaboration with iHeartMedia, officially onboarding iHeartRadio as a featured streaming app on TiVo OS, the company’s rapidly growing smart TV operating system.
What This Expansion Means for Users
U.S. consumers using TiVo OS-powered Smart TVs, including models from Sharp and Panasonic, can now:
Access thousands of live AM/FM and digital radio stations
Stream music playlists curated by genre, mood, or activity
Discover and listen to popular podcasts across news, sports, business, and entertainment
Enjoy a TV-native audio experience, optimized for large screens and living room use
This move effectively places iHeartRadio alongside major video streaming apps, elevating audio content to equal footing within the smart TV interface.
TiVo OS: A Growing Smart TV Platform With Global Reach
Although iHeartRadio’s availability is currently limited to U.S. audiences, the broader reach of TiVo OS continues to expand at a global scale.
Key TiVo OS Adoption Metrics
Adopted by 10 television and device brands to date
Available in over 40 countries worldwide
Supports a wide range of devices, including:
2K and 4K Smart TVs
Set-top boxes
Soundbars
Mini-LED monitors
TiVo describes its platform as a “content-first” experience, designed to prioritize discovery over app overload. By integrating audio platforms like iHeartRadio directly into the OS, TiVo is reshaping how consumers engage with non-visual entertainment in shared living spaces.
Why Audio Content Is Becoming Central to the Smart TV Experience
The inclusion of iHeartRadio reflects a broader industry trend: audio is no longer secondary to video.
Key Drivers Behind the Audio-First Shift
Podcast consumption continues to rise, with users seeking long-form audio on larger screens
Smart TVs are increasingly used for background entertainment
Voice-enabled and remote-based navigation makes audio discovery easier
Advertisers are investing more heavily in connected TV (CTV) audio formats
As a result, smart TVs are evolving into multi-sensory entertainment platforms, blending sight, sound, and interactivity.
iHeartMedia’s Expanding Distribution Strategy
For iHeartMedia, the TiVo OS integration represents a major opportunity to scale its audience beyond smartphones, cars, and smart speakers.
According to Xperi CEO Jon Kirchner, the company expects to significantly increase the distribution of TiVo-powered Smart TVs across the United States, achieving near-national coverage by the second half of 2026.
This expansion could dramatically boost iHeartRadio’s footprint in American households—particularly among viewers who prefer passive or ambient audio consumption.
A Broader Content Expansion on TiVo OS
iHeartRadio isn’t the only content partner joining TiVo OS. The platform has recently added a diverse mix of entertainment options, signaling its ambition to compete with larger smart TV ecosystems.
Recent Content Additions on TiVo OS
Cineverse – A leading destination for horror and genre content
Crunchyroll – One of the world’s largest anime streaming platforms
Official NBA App – Delivering basketball content and updates
Expanded Sports Streaming Channels
Sports fans can now access free channels dedicated to:
NASCAR
Tennis TV
Red Bull TV
Extreme and action sports
This expanding lineup strengthens TiVo OS’s appeal to niche audiences while maintaining mass-market accessibility.
New Discovery Features Designed for Engagement
To complement its growing content library, TiVo OS is rolling out enhanced discovery tools aimed at improving user engagement and personalization.
Key Discovery Enhancements
A dedicated on-screen space for content provider recommendations
Personalized suggestions based on viewing and listening behavior
Improved navigation designed to reduce content fatigue
According to TiVo, these features are designed to help users find what they love faster, while also offering content providers greater visibility.
Executive Insight: TiVo’s Vision for the Future of Television
“Our mission is to simplify and enrich television for everyone,” said Geir Skaaden, Executive Vice President and Chief Product and Services Officer at Xperi. “With these new features, partnerships, and sports offerings, TiVo continues to deliver extraordinary entertainment experiences while creating compelling opportunities for advertisers and content providers.”
This vision underscores TiVo’s broader strategy: transforming television from a passive viewing device into a dynamic entertainment ecosystem.
Advertising Innovation: Monetizing the Smart TV Experience
TiVo is also leveraging its growing user base to introduce next-generation advertising solutions, showcased this week at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
New Advertising Features on TiVo One
Full-screen video advertisements
Interactive, shoppable QR codes
Reach of over 5.3 million monthly active users
These tools allow advertisers to engage audiences directly from the TV screen, blurring the line between content, commerce, and discovery.
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for the Smart TV Industry
The integration of iHeartRadio into TiVo OS highlights several key industry trends:
Audio platforms are becoming first-class citizens on smart TVs
Operating systems, not apps, are the new battleground
Content discovery and personalization are critical differentiators
Advertising innovation is accelerating within connected TV environments
As smart TVs continue to replace traditional broadcast setups, platforms like TiVo OS are positioning themselves as curators of the entire home entertainment experience.
Final Thoughts: A Strategic Win for Both TiVo and iHeartRadio
TiVo’s decision to elevate iHeartRadio within its operating system reflects a clear understanding of where consumer behavior is headed. As audio content becomes more central to everyday entertainment, the living room is emerging as a powerful new frontier for radio, music, and podcasts.
For users, the result is simpler access, richer discovery, and more choice. For content creators and advertisers, it opens the door to new audiences and monetization models. And for the industry as a whole, it signals that the future of television is not just visual—it’s immersive, interactive, and increasingly audio-driven.
