Introduction to Linear Television
Users can explore Fire TV content through browsing, voice control, or searching. Linear television is one prominent and easily discoverable type of content available. Through this integration, you can promote your linear TV content throughout Fire TV, encouraging users to engage with your app.
Before you start
To implement this integration, you must already have an app with linear TV content. Amazon does not build channels or assemble schedules.
Important definitions
- Linear TV - Programs that can be viewed according to a set schedule, much like traditional TV.
- Video-on-demand (VOD) - You can watch these at your convenience.
- Live streaming events - These are events that are taking place as you watch them. Sports often falls into this category. These events might be recorded and be watched later as well.
Comparisons
- Linear vs Video-on-demand (VOD) - How you watch content. Whereas linear TV is watched according to a schedule (posted ahead of time), video-on-demand is available to be watched at any time.
- Live vs Replay - Live vs recorded content. Live content is streamed as it happens. Sometimes these might be replayed to watch later.
- Show vs Event - Edited prior to broadcast vs unedited. A show usually follows a script and is edited. An event is broadcast, and might be recorded as it happens.
Linear TV features on Fire TV
After you have integrated linear TV with your app, these features are available for all Fire TV devices after a customer installs and authenticates your app.
How linear TV displays content
Tiles under the Home tab display programming information on the Recent row and On Now row.
Linear TV programming will be available on the Live tab, a dedicated tab for current linear TV content.
Focusing on a program reveals more detailed information.
How users find channels and programs
An integrated channel guide reveals up to 14 days of scheduling information for a channel.
Users can search for linear TV content for up to 14 days of programming. This can be done by typing in the search, or using voice search.
Alexa voice support for "Tune to channel name."
Linear TV also has Alexa voice support for "Watch linear program name" in limited marketplaces.
Users can add linear TV channels to a list of favorites for quick access.
Ways to play linear TV content
Users can play content either in its own app or play it directly. Playing it directly increases discoverability and saves time and effort for customers.
To learn how to implement these features, see TV Input Framework on Fire TV.
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Last updated: May 05, 2025