Only compatible with Samsung televisions until now, the SFR TV application extends to Hisense devices running Android TV. All French operators seem to be gradually moving towards a world without physical decoders.
Is this the end of TV decoders? A large part of French people are still very attached to operator boxes, but their interest is becoming more and more limited with the emergence of connected televisions. Capable of running Netflix, Prime Video or Disney+, Smart TVs (or boxes, like the Apple TV) have enough power to emulate a set-top box. Orange, Bouygues, SFR and Free are slowly deploying their applications, while continuing to offer a hardware decoder to customers who wish it.
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On April 23, Free announced the arrival of its OQEE application on LG televisions, making it compatible with all brands on the market. SFR, which still has a little work to do, has been offering its application on Hisense televisions since May 8, a year after deploying it on Samsung TVs.
Soon an SFR TV app on Android TV?
At SFR, Hisense televisions do not completely replace boxes, since they are a “Multi TV” option (at 5 euros per month). The operator's idea is to have the real box in his living room, then a Hisense TV in the bedroom capable of accessing the TV without additional equipment. In the past, you had to rent a second box.
SFR's approach is different from that of Free, since Xavier Niel's operator allows its OQEE application to replace the Freebox. When subscribing, the new customer has the choice between a Freebox Pop Player or their own equipment, with a reduction included.
Strangely, the SFR TV Android TV application only works on Hisense devices, in addition to the SFR Connect TV box. Its existence nevertheless opens the door to a release on all Android devices, which could, technically, allow a Freebox Pop to connect to SFR TV. The operator has not yet answered our question about possible Apple or LG compatibility in the future.
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Orange and Bouygues are also actively preparing the replacement of boxes with applications, with already several compatible devices. Orange is currently developing a tvOS application for Apple TV, which could be ready in a few months. In short, in the medium term, the TV decoder seems destined to become an option for people who do not have modern equipment.
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