TikTok has been facing difficulties with markets globally. The company has since started taking action against the app, citing privacy and security concerns. India banned TikTok after the violent LAC skirmish with China. Recently, the U.S. gave TikTok a 45-day ultimatum to sell its operations to Microsoft in order to avoid a complete ban.
However, all these haven’t undermined the ByteDance, and the company has come up with its first TV app. Titled “More on TikTok” on the Amazon Fire TV, the app consists of curated video playlists and compilations from its mobile app.
The TV app will feature interviews from TikTok creators and other content with over a minute’s time frame. While on the mobile app, TikTok imposes a one-minute time limit.
According to a report by Business Insider, TikTok is trying to experiment with its ‘More on TikTok’ TV app and how its mobile video format will work on TV screens. This suggests that the company is in a plan to expand to other devices. The app has an official website with a trending section of new videos for desktop users.
Categories and specifications
The TV app will only be a viewing platform with no login or account information required to access it. The app will curate videos on the TV screen on its own. Users won’t have the option to upload videos or exchange coins.
Currently, the app is free to use and won’t show any ads on TV. The app will have two new content categories– ‘In the Studio’: this category will have creator interviews. While ‘This is TikTok’ category will spotlight creators.
‘More on TikTok’ app is now available in the US for all Fire TV devices. However, it is unclear if the app will be available in the Indian market as the Indian government has banned the app. Looking at the present situation, it is unlikely the app will be launched in India.
To access the app, Fire Stick users can say “Alexa, open More on TikTok”. This will open the app on the TV screen showing the short-form videos
TikTok is thriving
After the ban in India, Donald Trump started talking about the possibility of a TikTok ban in the US. Later, Microsoft expressed its interest in the app operations in the US, Australia, and New Zealand.
TikTok has been growing swiftly across the globe. The app recently reported 2 billion downloads and ranked as the highest downloaded social media app, beating Facebook and Facebook Messenger.
In India, the government released a notification banning 45 Chinese origin apps. This came after a border clash erupted between the two countries in Ladakh. The central government’s TikTok ban has left fans and users in chaos about its future.
India had the highest number of TikTok users in the world. This makes the country its most important market. After the ban, the government gave the company time to submit its explanation by July 22. It’s been more than 10 days since the company submitted its explanation. No further announcement has been made by the Indian government.