Samsung appears to be accelerating the growth of its TV apps ecosystem by launching a $100,000 developer challenge as it approaches 10 million app downloads since the platform went live in 2010.
Called the Free the TV Challenge, the initiative aims to attract developers to create “converging apps” — applications that enable interaction between Samsung smart TVs and at least one other device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or PC.
Developers are invited to submit solutions in three primary categories:
- Controller Apps – Apps that allow a phone, tablet, or PC to control an app running on a TV.
- Companion Apps – Second-screen experiences focused on synchronized, supplementary content that enhances what’s shown on the TV.
- Interactive Apps – Apps that let users treat a secondary device as an additional display, enabling them to start an activity on one device and seamlessly continue it on another.
Prizes for the competition are substantial: $100,000 for first place, $75,000 for second, and $50,000 for third. Winners will also receive Samsung hardware such as an LED TV and a Galaxy Tab, and the top app will be promoted within Samsung Apps, the company’s dedicated HDTV app store.
“Samsung Apps has become the most popular TV apps platform in the industry, with more than 900 apps available worldwide and nearly 10 million downloads to date,” said Eric Anderson, Samsung’s vice president of content.
“Our Galaxy mobile phones and tablets have also been very well received. The moment is right to bring these devices together with converged apps. I’m excited to see the creative ideas our developer community will produce.”
The challenge highlights Samsung’s strategy to fuse smart TV experiences with mobile and other connected devices, encouraging richer interactivity and continuity across screens. By rewarding innovative approaches to control, companion functionality, and cross-device continuity, Samsung hopes to expand both the quantity and quality of apps in its marketplace while giving users more seamless ways to interact with entertainment and information.
As smart TV adoption grows and consumers increasingly expect integrated multi-screen experiences, platforms that support synchronized content, remote control via personal devices, and transfer of activity across screens are likely to become central to user experience. Initiatives like the Free the TV Challenge not only incentivize developers to explore those possibilities but also help surface new patterns of engagement that could shape future TV app design.
Developers interested in competing should prepare submissions that demonstrate reliable cross-device communication, smooth user transitions between devices, and thoughtful use of each screen’s strengths. Practical, well-executed ideas that enhance usability and offer clear value to consumers will be best positioned to win recognition and reach a wide audience through Samsung’s app store exposure.