E-Guide | Are Your Smart TV OTT Apps Up to Scratch? Four UX Must-Haves for Big Screens
The direction of travel for in-home streaming is clear. While mobile still dominates short-form viewing, Smart TVs now reign supreme in the living room. By 2026, at least 50% of global households, or around 1.1 billion homes, are expected to own one.
But with sky-high demand comes equally high expectations. On Smart TVs, every second counts. If users struggle to log in, cannot find content quickly, or encounter clunky playback, they will leave and may not return.
That is why we have created our new free guide: “Are Your Smart TV OTT Apps Up to Scratch? Four UX Must-Haves for Big Screens.” Drawing on years of experience building and optimising Smart TV OTT apps across platforms like Samsung, LG, Android TV, and Vizio, we have identified the UX essentials that can make or break engagement with your service.
What You Will Learn in the Guide
In under 10 minutes, you will gain actionable insights into the four areas where OTT apps succeed or fail on the big screen:
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Onboarding that converts. How to turn curiosity into commitment in under 60 seconds.
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Navigation that just makes sense. Cut the friction and help viewers get to content faster.
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Family-friendly and accessible UX. Why inclusivity is not optional and how to get it right.
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Performance that delights. Optimise speed, reliability, and smooth playback to reduce churn risk.
You will also discover future-proof trends shaping Smart TV experiences so you can stay ahead of user expectations.
If you are a niche or mid-sized OTT service, you are already competing with streaming giants like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon. You may not have their budgets, but with the right UX, you can deliver a polished big-screen experience that keeps audiences engaged.
Get the Free Guide
Smart TV apps are not just another device. They are the place where your service needs to shine. Small improvements to UX can translate into big gains in sign-ups, retention, and satisfaction. Download the guide now and learn the four Smart TV UX must-haves that can help your OTT app truly compete on the big screen.
Want to discuss your Smart TV strategy and how to improve engagement on the big screen? Contact us to start the conversation.
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Top 5 Security Threats in OTT (and How to Stop Them Today)
OTT security isn’t just an IT concern—it’s a business-critical issue. Whether it’s pirates trying to steal your content or hackers eyeing your subscriber data, security threats in OTT are a continuously evolving battle. The good news? With the right proactive strategies and tech, you can better secure your platform, protect revenue, and maintain your audience’s trust.
In this blog, we look at OTT platforms’ top five security challenges today and share some actionable solutions to keep your content, service and subscribers safe. Check out our free e-guide, “Safeguarding Your Content & Platform,” for even more insights into securing your service and see how we help our customers stay protected.
1. Piracy in OTT: How to Stop Content Theft
Piracy isn’t just a nuisance—it costs the industry billions in lost revenue every year. High-value content like live sports, HD movies, and 4K streaming, is especially at risk of unauthorised distribution, putting licensing agreements and revenue streams at risk.
The Solution: Advanced DRM (Your Digital Bodyguard)
Digital Rights Management (DRM) is your first line of defence against piracy. It encrypts your content, ensuring only authorized users can access it.
At Magine Pro, we integrate with industry-leading DRM technologies, including:
✔ Google Widevine
✔ Apple FairPlay
✔ Microsoft PlayReady
For customers needing even stronger protection, we offer advanced DRM solutions that meet strict studio licensing requirements for HD and 4K content. This not only safeguards your premium library but also helps unlock new licensing deals and expand your audience reach.
2. How to Prevent Account Sharing and Unauthorised Logins in OTT
Unauthorised logins and account sharing are major challenges for OTT operators, significantly impacting subscription revenue. Research shows that 33% of users share their OTT accounts, leading to lost profits and increased strain on platform resources.
The Solution: Stream Limits & IP-Based Monitoring
To ensure fair usage, you need smarter access controls:
✔ Concurrent stream limits: Restrict how many streams a user can run at the same time.
✔ IP-based login monitoring: Detect and flag suspicious logins from multiple locations.
✔ Device management: Configure limits on registered devices.
With Magine Pro’s flexible CMS, operators can configure these settings to maximise revenue without frustrating legitimate subscribers.
3. Geo-Restriction Bypass: How to Block VPN & Proxy Users
Ever heard of someone using a VPN to watch content from another region? That’s geo-restriction bypassing, and it’s a headache for OTT platforms. Not only does it violate licensing agreements, but it also undermines the value of exclusive content deals.
The Solution: Advanced VPN & Proxy Detection
At Magine Pro, we help OTT providers enforce geo-restrictions with:
✔ VPN/proxy detection to block location masking and prevent unauthorised access.
✔ Precision geo-blocking that ensures content is only available where it’s licensed.
By implementing stronger geo-restriction controls, you not only comply with licensing agreements but protect the value of your regional content rights.
4. Data Breaches: How to Retain Subscriber Trust
Subscriber data breaches can lead to financial loss, reputational damage, and mass subscriber churn. For OTT platforms, robust data protection is essential to preserving user trust, ensuring compliance, and driving sustained growth.
The Solution: Robust Encryption & Compliance
To keep customer data secure, Magine Pro follows AWS Blueprint security standards with robust encryption, GDPR compliance, and tools like Google reCAPTCHA v3 to deter automated attacks. Keeping your subscribers’ data secure and trust intact is as important to us as it is to you.
5. Platform Security: Avoiding Downtime & Cyber Attacks
Security gaps in your service can lead to hacking, data loss, and content leaks. They can also cause service disruptions, frustrating users, damaging your brand, and costing you subscribers.
The Solution: A Multi-Layered Security Approach
At Magine Pro, take a multi-layered approach and enforce Zero Trust principles alongside:
✔ Routine security audits (both internal & external) to identify vulnerabilities.
✔ 24/7 real-time monitoring to detect threats before they escalate.
✔ Automated security updates to ensure protection without service interruptions.
By implementing proactive security measures, your OTT platform stays better protected against cyber threats—keeping your content safe and your service reliable.
Take Action: Secure Your OTT Business Today
Security threats in OTT are always evolving and inevitable—but they are mostly preventable. By addressing piracy, account sharing, geo-restriction bypassing, data breaches, and platform vulnerabilities, you can:
✔ Protect your revenue from unauthorized access.
✔ Maintain subscriber trust by securing user data.
✔ Ensure compliance with licensing agreements.
Don’t wait for a security breach to take action. Download our free e-guide, “Safeguarding Your Content & Platform,” to discover more expert-backed strategies and see how Magine Pro can help you future-proof your OTT service today. Contact us to find out more.
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E-Guide | How to Keep Your Video Content & OTT Service Secure
Keeping your OTT service secure isn’t just about content protection—it’s about safeguarding your business. Piracy, account sharing, and unauthorized access are constant threats, putting content, revenue, and user trust at risk. Studios are demanding higher security standards, and regulations around data protection are tightening.
So, how do you safeguard your platform without compromising the user experience?
Our latest e-guide, Safeguarding Your Content & Platform: Magine Pro’s Approach to OTT Security, explores the key security measures every streaming service should have in place. While no system is completely foolproof, taking proactive steps can significantly reduce risks, helping to protect your content, maintain platform integrity, and stay competitive.
Inside the e-guide, you’ll discover:
- How to protect premium content – Advanced DRM to secure HD and 4K assets and meet studio licensing requirements.
- How to prevent revenue loss – Tools to combat unauthorized access, account sharing, and geo-restriction bypassing.
- How to build audience trust – Solutions that protect subscriber data while delivering a seamless viewing experience.
- Expert insights – Proactive strategies from OTT security specialists to keep your platform resilient and compliant.
DOWNLOAD NOW
Keep Your OTT Service Secure & Profitable
OTT security doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right approach, you can safeguard your content while maintaining a great user experience.
Download the FREE e-guide now and take the next step in protecting your platform.
Want to know more?
If you’d like to learn more about how Magine Pro helps OTT services stay secure while delivering high-quality streaming, our team is here to help. Whether you have specific security concerns or want to explore how our platform can support your growth, reach out today.
You can also visit our Experience Page to see how our customers are using Magine Pro to power their streaming services securely and efficiently.
To stay up-to-date with the latest industry insights, platform updates, and security best practices, be sure to subscribe to the Magine Pro e-newsletter.
Inside Magine Pro’s UX/UI Approach: A Conversation with Head of Product & Platform, Fabienne Antonin
Crafting an exceptional user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) is essential for streaming services aiming to captivate audiences and build lasting subscriber loyalty. At Magine Pro, our Head of Product & Platform, Fabienne Antonin, is at the forefront of our UX/UI innovations. In a recent Q&A featured in our e-guide, Behind the Screens: Crafting Immersive UX/UI for Streaming Services, Fabienne shares insights into our data-driven design process, strategic decision-making, and the unique challenges of creating engaging customisable interfaces. These solutions empower our customers to deliver seamless, brand-aligned experiences tailored to their content and audience needs.
Meet Fabienne Antonin, Magine Pro’s Head of Product & Platform
Fabienne joined Magine Pro four years ago, bringing a wealth of expertise in UX/UI and digital media to lead our team in creating user experiences that truly resonate with our customers’ viewers. Before joining Magine Pro, she held key roles at Bonnier Broadcasting (now part of Telia), where she headed product development for C More and TV4’s OTT services. Her impressive career also includes working with major brands like Disney, Paramount, IKEA, and Fortum, making her a leader in crafting engaging and intuitive digital experiences.
Here’s a sneak peek at some of her insights:
A Data-Driven Design Process That Puts Users First
Fabienne emphasises the importance of a data-driven approach to UX/UI design. “We initiate by aggregating critical metrics from multiple touchpoints,” she explains. This includes user engagement data, competitive analysis, and key business metrics. As she notes, “This process lets us adapt and respond to actual user needs, enhancing the experience at every touchpoint.”
Achieving Cross-Platform Consistency
Maintaining consistency across various platforms is a key part of Magine Pro’s UX/UI strategy. Fabienne highlights the role of a robust roadmap and cross-functional collaboration, which ensure smooth feature rollouts across web, mobile, and smart TV platforms. This approach means users can enjoy a cohesive experience across any device.
Tackling the Challenges in OTT Design
Keeping users engaged amidst fierce competition can be tough. Fabienne discusses the unique demands of B2B2C OTT design, where customisation and market-specific requirements are critical. However, user retention remains the biggest challenge, often tied to the availability of fresh content. Fabienne explains that fresh content, intuitive navigation, and tools like customised promotional offers all play vital roles in maintaining interest and loyalty. “Every content release is a chance to re-engage audiences,” she shares.
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If you’re interested in exploring Magine Pro’s design philosophy further, download Behind the Screens. Fabienne’s full Q&A offers valuable tips on creating a captivating OTT experience, with additional insights on engaging users, encouraging exploration, and building long-term loyalty.
For a personalised demo of our platform’s UX/UI capabilities or to explore how we can help, book a meeting with the Magine Pro team today.