They say that linear TV is becoming a thing of the past, and no one needs set-top boxes anymore. But in reality, the situation is not so clear-cut. Although traditional television views are indeed declining, they are still at a high level in the electronic catalog. But the console market, according to Market Research Future, is growing year by year by 7.2%.

It can be argued that consoles not only have not lost their relevance, but also continue to develop actively. Unlike a TV, which people replace about once every 10 years, a set-top box can be updated every 2-3 years. This is due to the fact that during this time the console manages to change a lot, becoming more powerful and productive, which, in turn, encourages people to purchase new devices. What awaits the set-top box market in 2024, and will they replace Smart TV or displace subscriptions to Internet services and traditional television? 

Integration of voice technologies and smart home in the new generation of Smart TV

Today, we are seeing a global trend towards combining voice assistants and Smart TVs. At the same time, there are many Android TVs on the market, which creates serious competition for set-top boxes. Modern devices for viewing content must combine technology, affordability, and richness of content. This is where set-top boxes play their role by providing the user with flexible choices.

Technologies are actively changing set-top boxes today, and in the coming years, they will not look like ordinary boxes. The devices will more closely resemble a combination of a set-top box and a smart speaker, having broader functionality. With the development of voice technologies and artificial intelligence, set-top boxes will turn into media centers with smart home functionality, pushing traditional TV viewing into the background. Speakers with microphones will appear in rooms, allowing you to control the media center from anywhere. These changes make consoles more accessible and versatile.

As for content, linear television is losing popularity in favor of VoD content (Video on Demand), available for viewing at any time. Native content platforms are becoming leaders, and in the future, we can expect the creation of new content formats, including the creation of custom scenarios using artificial intelligence. The trend towards gamification of content will also continue.

GPT models will help with searching and selecting content. There will be no need to type the specific name of the film, and you can only give a description. For example, a description of the plot, a description of the situation, or a description to suit the mood.