Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. yesterday held “FAST Forward: How New Streaming Models Are Shaping the Next Generation of TV” as part of its Tech Forum panel series at CES 2026. Taking place at The Wynn in Las Vegas, Nevada, the panel brought together leaders from entertainment and media to explore the evolution of streaming and the rapid rise of free-ad-supported television (FAST).

The session highlighted the interconnected relationship between today’s rapidly evolving consumer behaviors and preferences, the transformation of content by technology and monetization models, the expanding role of creators as studios and the ways in which interactive and live experiences are catalyzing a shift from passive viewing into active engagement.

Moderated by Natalie Jarvey of The Ankler, the panel featured Salek Brodsky, SVP and Global Head of Samsung TV Plus; Alessandra Catanese, CEO of Smosh and Bruce Casino, EVP, Sales & Distribution, U.S., NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.

FAST Gains Momentum as Audiences Recalibrate Value

As audiences grapple with subscription fatigue and a fragmented streaming landscape, the panel focused on how FAST is restoring simplicity and value to television. Samsung TV Plus anchored the conversation as a platform designed to reduce friction, offering hundreds of live and on-demand channels in one free, easily accessible experience across Samsung TVs and devices worldwide.

“The TV experience today can often feel like too much work for the viewer,” said SVP Brodsky. “Our goal with Samsung TV Plus is to simplify television again and combine the power of linear discovery with a modern, connected experience that feels effortless, curated and truly valuable.”

The panelists emphasized that FAST has evolved into a core part of the streaming ecosystem, complementing subscription and traditional models while delivering premium, proven programming at scale. For Samsung TV Plus, that evolution is rooted in shared experiences that elevate viewing and meet users not just where they already are, but where they want to be.

Hybrid Models Redefine the Streaming Ecosystem

Panelists emphasized that the evolution of streaming is less about replacing traditional models and more about expanding how audiences engage with content. FAST, subscription and linear distribution models are increasingly working in tandem, allowing studios to extend the life of proven franchises, reach new viewers and unlock additional value without sacrificing performance elsewhere. By leveraging data, audience behavior and decades of content insight, media companies are deploying FAST to complement existing channels and create a more resilient and diversified ecosystem.

EVP Bruce Casino highlighted how this approach has enabled NBCUniversal to bring both classic and contemporary content to FAST audiences while continuing to see strong performance across platforms. “FAST doesn’t replace traditional distribution, it extends it,” said Casino. “What we’re seeing is that when great content shows up in multiple places, it creates incremental value rather than cannibalization — allowing franchises to thrive across FAST, streaming and linear channels.”

Creators Emerge as the New Studios

The panel also examined how the changing nature of consumer habits and television platforms means content creators do not have to work exclusively with legacy studios to reach a broad audience. As this medium expands from social platforms to the living room, FAST is helping bridge digital culture and traditional TV, while also serving to elevate its production quality.

Samsung TV Plus was highlighted as a platform that helps creators evolve from digital-first brands into full-fledged television studios, helping expand reach, unlock new monetization opportunities and introduce content to broader, global audiences.

One of the clearest examples of a brand that has taken the step from digital-first brand to legitimate TV studio is sketch comedy-improv collective Smosh. By launching a FAST channel with Samsung TV Plus, Smosh has been able to strengthen its connection with its already-dedicated fans while gaining access to a much larger viewer base. Due to this evolution, Smosh has enhanced long-term growth.

“Partnering with Samsung TV Plus allowed us to elevate our production quality and invest in the future of the Smosh brand,” said CEO Alessandra Catanese. “It was the right platform to help us reach a broader audience while positioning our content in a premium environment that supports where we’re headed as a company.”

Live and Interactive Experiences Drive Engagement

Looking beyond on-demand viewing, panelists discussed how live programming like concerts and interactivity are reshaping the television experience by creating shared moments that audiences actively participate in.

With features such as synchronized premieres and real-time participation, technology is transforming television from a passive activity into an interactive experience — fostering connection, excitement and a sense of belonging that brings viewers together organically. Together, the panelists agreed that the future of television will be defined by flexibility, cultural connection and experiences that invite participation, not just consumption.

“Authentic content that creates cultural connection and brings people together is what matters most,” said SVP Brodsky. “That’s why we’re investing in live events, creator programming and interactive formats that remind people why TV has always been the center of the home.”

As streaming continues to evolve, Samsung is focused on helping shape a TV ecosystem that delivers value for viewers, opportunity for creators and scale for advertisers, — redefining what television can be in 2026 and beyond.

Samsung Electronics, the world’s leading TV manufacturer for 17 consecutive years, today announced a partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures that will bring highly-anticipated movie trailers to Neo QLED 8K screens in more than 65,000 retail stores around the world.

“This partnership is an exciting step forward for 8K content, showcasing Neo QLED 8K’s capabilities and getting consumers excited about seeing films in cinematic quality,” said Cheolgi Kim, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Collaborating with Warner Bros. allows Samsung to show consumers how ultra-premium TV technology can take their favourite films to a whole new level.”

To better understand demand for 8K content, Samsung and Warner Bros. trialed their partnership by showcasing the “Creed III” trailer across more than 450 retail stores in the United States and Europe earlier this year. This garnered significant attention and enthusiasm from audiences worldwide, exemplifying the growing demand for 8K content. Since then, Samsung and Warner Bros. have worked together to expand the program. Now, shoppers globally will be able to see Samsung Neo QLED 8K in action with an appealing lineup of high-profile content, including trailers for upcoming films such as “Barbie,” “Blue Beetle,” “Dune: Part Two,” “Wonka,” and “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”

This collaboration with Warner Bros. Pictures, a global leader in the creation, production and distribution of entertainment, represents Samsung’s ongoing efforts to bring high quality entertainment to consumers., making Warner Bros. a perfect partner in bringing much-anticipated 8K trailers to consumers worldwide.

Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K screens continue to revolutionize the TV industry, with their impact reaching content production and retail markets around the globe. Powered by Neural Quantum Processor 8K and Quantum Matrix Technology, they bring immaculate picture quality with crisp details, accurate colours and hyper-realistic depth to offer consumers the best viewing experience available in the consumer TV market.

For more information on Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K TVs, please visit www.samsung.com/ca.

▲ One of Samsung’s industry-leading anechoic chambers in Suwon is used to accurately evaluate the audio performance for various products

Samsung Newsroom sat down with Sunmin Kim and Seongsu Park from the Sound Device Lab within the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics to discuss the importance of audio in delivering a superior viewing experience as well as Samsung’s latest innovations in sound and picture quality.

Bringing Content to Life Through Sound

“Sound plays a very important role in making the content we consume immersive,” said Sunmin Kim, Head of the Sound Device Lab, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. Be it romantic films, funny TV shows or even live sports broadcasts, Kim believes that a majority of the emotional impact from visual content is delivered through sound. “For example, it’s often the background music and sound effects that make horror films more terrifying. If you were to turn off the sound, many scenes wouldn’t be as scary. In fact, you may even find some scenes to be funny.”

▲ “The Sound Device Lab is committed to developing optimal solutions that deliver sound just as artists intended,” said Kim, Head of the Sound Device Lab, Visual Display Business.

“Film, TV and music directors are all artists. And what’s important to me is that they work to amplify stories through sound effects and music,” said Kim. “The goal here at the Sound Device Lab is to deliver content to viewers as the artists intended.”

This can be a daunting task because production and viewing environments tend to vary significantly. Seongsu Park, who oversees speaker development and audio evaluation in the Sound Device Lab, shared some of the challenges his team faces.

“Audio for movies and TV shows, in general, are mixed to a reference level of approximately 85 decibels (dB), equivalent to volume levels found in a movie theater. However, at home, many viewers watch the content at lower volumes. According to our research, many TV viewers reduce the volume to around 60dB, and some even to 20dB, to avoid disturbing neighbors,” explained Park. This means that dialogues that would have been audible in the mixing studio may be indiscernible in the living room. Engineers must consider additional differences in consumers’ viewing environments such as curtains, furniture and other elements that might absorb or deflect sound waves.

▲ “We’ve moved on from front-facing speakers to speakers all around the TV,” said Park of Samsung’s Visual Display Business.

The Sound Device Lab found solutions in the form of hardware and software innovations. From the hardware side, multiple smaller, specialized speakers were introduced to provide surround sound. The software side tuned these speakers to form a balanced audio experience and remixed the sound signals to ensure key sound factors are delivered to viewers.

From Few, Front-Facing to Many, Everywhere-Facing Speakers

TVs are usually limited to their set form factor when producing sound. Recently, this limitation has become increasingly restrictive for sound engineers as TVs have become slimmer from both the front and side. “In the past, huge front-facing stereo speakers were on each side of the TV screen. Current TV designs deny such placement,” said Park. “We were forced to dig deep.”

▲ TV designs have become thinner and slimmer, forcing sound engineers to get creative.

The Sound Device Lab responded to the challenge by developing multiple smaller speaker units for its TVs and placing them away from plain sight. By arranging these units in different directions and coordinating the audio output, the team was able to simulate surround sound.

This technology is further pushed in models that feature Neural Processing Units (NPUs), such as the Neural Quantum Processor found on select Neo QLED TV models, by unlocking features such as Object Tracking Sound (OTS). OTS identifies picture and audio objects on the screen in real time before matching, tracking and coordinating multiple speakers to create a dynamic three-dimensional soundscape.

▲ The latest Samsung TVs utilize a number of distributed speakers to offer a more 3D-like sound.1

To support slimmer bezels and flat-to-the-wall TV designs, sound engineers also had to reduce the physical size of the speakers. Speakers operate by physically pushing out air, so in many cases, speaker performance is directly affected by size. As the Sound Device Lab could not physically enlarge the speakers, it instead focused on the range of movement.

“Let’s say the moving range of a speaker driver is 100. Using 50-70% of that range was considered to be sufficient. To respond to slimmer TV designs, however, we raised that range to 80-85%,” explained Park. “As we fit smaller but more efficient speakers in our TVs, we were not only able to accommodate the slimmer design, but we also ended up improving the collective sound performance.”

▲ A wide range of speakers are strategically positioned in recent Samsung TVs, including up-firing and side-firing hidden center speakers as well as woofers that bounce deep bass off the walls.1

Creating Perfect Balance From Every Angle

While adding speakers resulted in a more immersive and dynamic audio experience, it posed another challenge. Sound engineers had to fine-tune and balance the multiple speakers to achieve a perfect blend of sound. With many speakers operating at differing frequency ranges and all facing different directions, tuning them to work in unison as a single balanced unit became exponentially difficult — but it had to be done.

The effort started with gathering accurate data. In anechoic and semi-anechoic chambers, the Sound Device Lab members measured TV sounds from 323 different points, covering the entire range of TV viewing, for each of the settings until the frequency and volume balance was optimal. After that, they took each model to listening rooms and simulated various real-life living room settings to ensure the speakers were tuned to perfection.

▲ Direct sounds, sans echoes and reverberations, are measured and tuned at a total of 323 points by adjusting TV angles. This is an essential process in tuning each unit to an optimal sound balance.

▲ (Clockwise from the top left) The images represent the following: (1) a graph measuring Sound Pressure Level (SPL) by frequency band at a specific angle, (2) SPL in a specific frequency space, (3) SPL by distance for all frequency bands and SPL by frequency band at an angle from a specific direction and (4) a graph combining measurements from all 323 points. This is the process of finding a “Target Curve” that ensures even sound distribution within the human hearing range, tuning each speaker to deliver excellent sound quality from any angle.

Future-Proofing Sound

As the global TV market leader for 17 consecutive years, Samsung remains committed to innovating the TV experience. So, what’s next?

“I was shocked when a colleague told me that the volume keys are the most frequently pressed buttons on a TV remote. This signals a clear inconvenience. So, it has become a vision of mine to remove the volume buttons completely from the remote control,” shared Park, expressing his desire to enable Samsung TVs to automatically adjust the volume based on surrounding noise.

“Great technology produces and delivers accurate sound,” said Kim. “We will continue to incorporate our long-running expertise with newer technologies such as AI to create as close a reference sound as possible.”

In the next part of this series, Samsung Newsroom will explore the role of AI in elevating audio performance and sound experiences.

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¹ Speaker locations may vary by model.

– Kyungah Park, M.D. (Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center)

Samsung Electronics firmly believes in the power of technology to create a more inclusive world. When it comes to design, accessibility should be top of mind ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can fully enjoy the benefits of modern innovations. Traditional television can present challenges when accessing and comprehending visual content. However, through the use of visual aid features, Samsung is helping bridge the gap and providing an immersive and enjoyable viewing experience for all.

Relumino Mode, a viewing mode on select Samsung TVs, was designed to augment the visual capabilities of those with low vision, making it possible for anyone to engage with their favorite shows, movies and documentaries like never before. By highlighting specific parts of videos — such as contrast, color and sharpness — this feature makes it easier than ever to discern content on the TV screen.

To shed more light on this groundbreaking inclusive technology, Samsung Newsroom sat down with Dr. Kyungah Park and Jason (Jaeseong) Park from Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics, to discuss everything from development to clinical trials.

▲ Jason Park (Samsung Electronics) and Kyungah Park, M.D. (Samsung Medical Center) discuss their journeys in creating and clinically testing Relumino Mode

Screen for All — Including People With Impaired Vision

Relumino, borrowed from Latin, means “to give back the light.” The idea is to restore vision as much as possible to people with impaired vision. Earlier this year at CES, Samsung introduced Relumino Mode on select Samsung TVs. This follows the wearable device “Relumino Glass” and the smartphone image processing software “Relumino App,” each revealed at CES in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Before that, Relumino was conceived in “C-Lab(Creative Lab),” Samsung Electronics’ in-house venture program. It has evolved and expanded ever since.

▲ Relumino Glass(left) and Relumino Mode for Samsung TVs(right)

“For several years, ‘Screens for All’ has been one of the key mottos for us. We’re working to further enhance TV accessibility and promote inclusion,” said Jason Park, who plans products and services for the Visual Display Business. “People with low vision are still a key demographic that need better TV viewing experiences.”

Innovation Rooted in the User’s Perspective

To develop Relumino Mode, planners and engineers met with a number of advisors who had visual impairments to understand their wants and needs.

▲ Jason Park, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics

“There’s an early experience that really changed my perspective,” shared Jason. “When we first met an advisor for Relumino Mode, I asked him to ‘Please come here and have a seat’ to which he replied, ‘Where is here?’ That was a hard and clear wake-up call for me. I was so embarrassed.” It was then that Jason realized that they were exploring a totally new territory and would have to first understand the way their users see the world.

▲ As part of the efforts to understand customers with visual impairments, Samsung engineers used special goggles to simulate blurry vision

Despite the decades of collective experience in enhancing TV picture quality, this particular project presented a unique challenge that none of the engineers had encountered before. Typically, their expertise lay in identifying even the slightest imperfections on the screen, but now they had to understand what it’s like as a user to have impaired vision. In addition to consulting advisors, the engineers utilized special goggles that simulated blurry vision, serving as a starting point for their exploration. Through a process of generating ideas, conducting trials and learning from mistakes, they eventually developed a solution that could be considered a genuinely effective viewing mode.

Clinical Trials and Direct Feedback

After initial research and development came trials on a larger scale. This is where Samsung Electronics decided to collaborate with Samsung Medical Center, one of South Korea’s most comprehensive medical facilities.

▲Dr. Kyungah Park, Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center

“Clinical trials targeting people without disabilities are popular and recruiting subjects for these projects is relatively easy. Some even ask to join before we ask,” said Dr. Park. “But, that was not the case for the Relumino study. The pool was much more limited as we were more strict with our requirements — we targeted people who have lower vision than WHO’s vision impairment criteria.”

However, the people that Samsung contacted showed much passion for the project. “Many who joined the trials were very excited and didn’t mind traveling long distances for the study. Thanks to their support and encouragement, we were able to carry out the research,” Dr. Park added.

Four 55-inch Samsung QLED TVs were featured in the tests. One displayed the control image with no picture enhancements at all. The other three TVs showed the same content with Relumino Mode on high, medium and low. The TVs were installed on a meter away from each other onw a wall in a room with a specified amount of light.

The test was two-fold, with objective and subjective evaluations. A certified contrast sensitivity test was employed for the objective evaluation. For the subjective evaluations, participants were asked to examine a set of eight still images and two videos on each of the screens. Their satisfaction levels were measured on a scale of 0 to 10. Based on the results, researchers carried out additional interviews adjusting picture enhancement levels on the spot.

▲ A blurry vision goggle simulation of what Relumino Mode may look like to people with visual impairment

Relumino mode was well received by the group. One of the participants highly praised the technology, saying “I was thrilled to see the ball in a soccer match on screen. It can get frustrating if you can’t see the ball because of low vision, as you can imagine. Relumino Mode helped me see the ball clearly.”

“The subjects’ responses indicated the Mode’s subjective results while the contrast sensitivity testing showed its objective results. Both of these factors, combined, allowed us to find the optimal setting for a brilliant image on TV,” said Jason.

Screens for All, Today and Tomorrow

“While [the Relumino Mode] project focused on people with relatively severe visual impairment many people with slightly lighter symptoms still need help. I’d like to work on developing projects for them,” explained Dr. Park.

Jason shared a similar point of view, saying, “Samsung will continue to advance technology in the long term to provide personalized picture quality for people with vision impairment and let them enjoy TV comfortably.” Samsung remains committed to accessibility and strives to leverage its technologies to enable more people do what they enjoy.

With its technical expertise and industry-leading innovation, Samsung Electronics has been recognized for its global market leadership and excellence.

According to market research firm Omdia, Samsung once again topped the global TV market in 2022, making it the 17th year in a row the company has ranked first in the TV industry[1]. This accomplishment can be attributed to the company’s commitment to premium viewing experiences and user-centered design.

By prioritizing its premium product lineup, Samsung has upheld its leadership in the TV industry for an impressive 17 years, exemplified best by its Neo QLED lineup. In 2022, Samsung sold a staggering 9.65 million units of QLED and Neo QLED TVs, bringing cumulative sales to 35 million units since the launch of Samsung’s QLED technology in 2017. Samsung also dominated the ultra-large TV market segment in 2022, reporting a 36.1% and 42.9% global market share for TVs over 75-inches and 80-inches respectively. For the premium TV market priced over $2,500, Samsung retained the largest global market share by revenue at 48.6%.

“Our track record of industry leadership over the past 17 years was made possible by our consumers’ continued loyalty and trust in our products,” said Cheolgi Kim, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to pave the path to create the most premium device experiences that go beyond premium picture quality.”

Samsung’s leadership in the TV market for 17 consecutive years is a testament to the company’s commitment to providing the most innovative products with consumer-centric designs and upgraded user experiences. The launch of the Bordeaux TV in 2006 marked the mainstream adoption of LCD TVs with sophisticated designs and light-weight form factor. It was also the first time for Samsung to rank number one in the global television market. The company continued to bring groundbreaking technologies to consumers by launching its first LED TV in 2009 and its first Smart TV in 2011, holding the top position in the market throughout each of those launches and thereafter.

Samsung continued to push the boundaries of picture quality and innovation by introducing products with the latest technologies. In 2017, Samsung defined the term “next-generation display” by unveiling the first QLED TV, which utilized cadmium-free quantum dot technology to achieve 100 percent colour volume[2] for the first time in the industry. In 2018, the company launched the groundbreaking QLED 8K, followed by the Quantum Mini LED-backed Neo QLED and the self-illuminating MICRO LED in 2021. This collection of innovative technologies redefined the standard for TV picture quality and continued to set new industry benchmarks with each launch.

In addition, Samsung has been at the forefront of pioneering new categories such as the Lifestyle series. Starting with the iconic design of The Serif in 2016, Samsung has continued to evolve its product lineup with designs to enhance the user experience through products such as The Frame, The Sero, The Terrace, The Premiere and The Freestyle.

In 2023, Samsung’s commitment to innovation continues with the development of intuitive technology designed to meet the needs of consumers. SmartThings will enable seamless integration and connectivity of multiple compatible devices with security remaining a top priority, empowering consumers to create deeply personalized experiences that accommodate their unique preferences and needs.

[1] Source – Omdia, TV Sets Intelligence Service, Feb-2023. Ranking in terms of unit shipments for 17 consecutive years ending 2022. Results are not an endorsement of Samsung. Any reliance on these results is at the third-party’s own risk.

[2] 100% colour volume according to DCI-P3 Colour Space tested by Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE Germany).

Depending on the space, there are various ways that Samsung’s Lifestyle TVs can be used to enhance the interior. With the assistance of a home stylist, Samsung Newsroom shares elegant ways to use the company’s Lifestyle TVs and household objects to decorate a variety of spaces. Whether you are decorating your interior with plants or opting for a minimal aesthetic, the following tips and tricks can help you create your perfect space.

By applying minimalistic design thinking and principles to focus on just the core elements of the user experience, Samsung has been showcasing TV designs that seamlessly blend and connect with the screen’s surroundings while taking ever-changing lifestyles, viewing habits and environments into consideration since 2006.

As Samsung commemorates its 15th consecutive year of global market leadership across the TV industry[1], check out the infographic below to see how the company has been leading industry innovation and design and providing the most optimized viewing experience to users for the past 15 years.

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[1]Source – Omdia, TV Sets Intelligence Service, Jan-2021. Ranking in terms of unit shipments for 15 years consecutive years ending 2020. Results are not an endorsement of Samsung. Any reliance on these results is at the third-party’s own risk.

Samsung Electronics exquisitely refined its Neo QLED 8K lineup’s sound system to allow users to take full advantage of their large TV’s audio quality. The flagship displays were designed to analyze both the size of the space where they sit and how they’ve been installed in order to calibrate sound to its optimal settings. The TVs use that information to pump out realistic, object-tracking sound through their eight total speakers. When applied to our ‘family movie night’ scenario above, the TV’s speakers would compensate for when the family’s thick blanket absorbed the tones of mid-to-high registers, and evenly distribute three-dimensional sound from the corners of the room to the centre when the family sat closer to the screen.

To learn more about how Samsung’s newest TVs customize sound based on where users place their screen, and how sound has evolved as tool for fostering immersive home entertainment, Samsung sat down with some of the developers behind the displays.

▲ (From left) Engineers Jongbae Kim, Sungjoo Kim and Sunmin Kim of Samsung Electronics’ Visual Display Business

SpaceFit Does Spatial Analysis Daily to Optimize Sound Settings

Today, with more users watching TV in more places, including living rooms, workrooms, bedrooms, terraces and more, both sitting up and lying down, and at different times of the day, our viewing habits are changing. Now, more users are customizing their viewing experience based on their specific living environment. With this in mind, the developers focused on creating technology that would automatically analyze users’ viewing environment to ensure that they’re always enjoying the best possible sound. The result is SpaceFit Sound, a feature that automatically checks for changes in your living space once a day and calibrates sound settings accordingly.

Here’s how it works: First, a built-in microphone identifies elements that can affect sound, such as curtains, carpets and walls. Suppose the TV is placed in a user’s living room, which features a carpet that we can assume absorbs mid-to-high range sound. In this case, SpaceFit Sound would optimize sound settings automatically to raise the mid-to-high range sound accordingly. It works the same regardless of whether stands, wall hangings and other elements are changed. If the TV were to be moved closer to the wall, then the space behind it would become narrower, which could affect low frequency sounds. SpaceFit Sound allows the TV to identify this change and adjust its settings in advance to produce clearer sound.

The key point to remember is that all of these processes occur automatically. As Engineer Sunmin Kim explained, “SpaceFit is an automated function that does not require that users press a button, and the device won’t send out a ‘testing’ sound. By simply turning it on or off, the TV will analyze the environment based on the sound of the content that the user actually consumes. So all you need to do is just enjoying what is being played on screen.”

This technology was made possible thanks to innovations that were based on a myriad of data and AI technologies. From sound-absorbing areas, such as what are referred to in sound engineering as ‘dead rooms,’ to acoustically reflective spaces, the team considered both extremes in terms of viewing environments.

“Since there were so many variables to consider, we built up a sufficiently wide learning database and analyzed it using machine learning technology. That’s where the AI technologies that Samsung developed kicked in,” said Sunmin Kim, who also noted that the feature “can cover almost any typical space in which a TV may be placed.”

Object Tracking Sound (OTS) Pro Uses Eight Speakers to Produce 3D Sound from All Corners of the Screen

Content is beginning to make use of a wider range of sound channels, and users’ preferred ways of enjoying that content are also changing. As home entertainment expands and both wide screens and multi-channel sources with immersive formats like films become more popular, it’s becoming commonplace for multiple people to enjoy the same content together. The key here is to widen the ‘sweet spot’ – the location from which users can enjoy optimal sound, even when located at the outside edges of the screen. As content grows more varied and screens become bigger, sound, too, must evolve in a way that enhances users’ enjoyment.

Object Tracking Sound (OTS) technology, a feature that tracks the movement of objects onscreen using the TV’s multi-channel speakers, is allowing Samsung to take users’ enjoyment to the next level. Neo QLED 8K includes an enhanced version of the technology, OTS Pro, and adds two centre speakers to previous models’ six-speaker setup, for a total of eight speakers. When an object onscreen moves, the speaker located in the optimal spot for expressing the movement produces sound, matching what the viewer sees on their screen. The immersive sound setup enriches the left and right stereo experience and the 3D effect, taking the viewing experience to new heights by making the user feel as if they were standing in the middle of the action.

“Often, when consuming content on a large screen, viewers watching the TV from both sides notice that sound produced at the centre of the screen seems like it’s being produced in only one side,” said Engineer Jongbae Kim. “That’s why we added a centre speaker between the left and right sides. The combination of the newly added centre speaker and OTS Pro gathers sound in the middle of the screen, makes voices clearer, and expresses sound’s position more accurately, without distortion.”

If a speaker were to actually be placed at the centre of a TV, it could clash with the overall design concept. The developers solved this issue by attaching a tweeter applied with a wave guide to the rear of the device. “If a speaker were to be placed on the back, sound would disperse in all directions and bounce off the walls, reducing clarity,” said Engineer Sungjoo Kim. “We needed a technology that drew sound toward viewers when they were in front of their TV. Employing a hole array technique enabled us to ensure that sound would travel well from a tweeter to the front of the display.”

The team’s efforts to balance sound also extend to Samsung’s next-generation MICRO LED display. Because the bottom of this large screen can almost reach the floor of users’ living rooms, if users connect their display to a multi-component home theater setup, there may not be space to place a centre speaker.

“The 110-inch MICRO LED lineup features a μ-Symphony function, which allows you to use the built-in speaker as the centre speaker,” said Jongbae Kim. “This means that you do not have to use a separate centre speaker for your home entertainment system because MICRO LED’s multi-channel speaker fills that role. Because sound comes from the centre of the screen, there is no sound-image mismatching, and the user enjoys a cinema-like experience.”

Making Use of Each and Every Piece of an Ultra-Slim Design

The Infinity Screen, a unique aspect of Samsung’s TV design, maximizes immersion by making bezels nearly invisible. It also posed a unique challenge for the developers, requiring them to explore how to best mount multiple speakers within the device’s slim form.

“In the past, a duct structure was used to draw the low frequency sound from the inside of the woofer speaker to the outside,” said Sungjoo Kim. “This type of design is capable of generating unwanted noise resulting from air turbulence. So, for the 8K models, we decided to take a ‘passive radiator’ approach that allowed us to produce rich, low-pitched sound. This not only enabled us to use the limited space inside the slim TV more efficiently, but it also allowed us to create rich and pure sound.”

“By exposing the diaphragm of the woofer and the passive radiator on the back of the TV,” he added, “it became possible to visualize NEO QLED’s sound performance in an interesting and intuitive way.”

It’s just one of Neo QLED TVs’ many innovative, out-of-the-box design elements. To help accommodate panels becoming thinner and thinner, components that used to serve basic functions have been given new roles. “We used part of the rear cover of the TV as an acoustic component that guides the direction of sound to the sides,” said Jongbae Kim. “We also reinvented the design of the ‘slit vent,’ a component inside the rear cover that extends from the centre tweeter to the bottom and was previously used to emit heat, to improve acoustic performance by controlling directivity. We utilized each and every part as much as possible, which means that no element of the design is without purpose.”

Delivering Rich, Realistic Sound

The developers have also gone to great lengths to gain a deeper understanding of the content users enjoy as part of an effort to provide better sound performance. For example, when analyzing sports content, they focus on reproducing the sound of the crowd, while for music, they try to create a stable sound stage. For movies, they conduct constant analysis to ensure that dialogue comes from the centre of the screen.

“With speaker form factors changing, upmixing is becoming more important,” said Sunmin Kim. “Input channels are becoming varied, and the average number of speakers is increasing to six to eight, which adds up to countless combinations of inputs and outputs.

“Let’s say you’re enjoying two-channel content. Here, instead of sending signals blindly through eight speakers, it is important to understand the mixing characteristics of the content and send each signal separately. Samsung’s unique technology makes this possible using an optimized algorithm that’s based on AI.”

Samsung TVs have led the global market for 15 years running[1], and the user data that the company has accumulated thus far has been an invaluable asset. As countless families across the world use Samsung TVs, the ubiquity of the company’s displays offers an opportunity to think about what’s next. Sungjoo Kim hinted at what Samsung has in store. “We are systematically building a deep learning network that is based on numerous data,” said Kim. “In addition, we are going to firmly establish our position as a global leader by discussing technologies needed in the mid-to-long term with Samsung Electronics’ overseas AI research centres.”

In response to an ever-growing flood of content, the developers are committed to helping Samsung TVs deliver a sound experience that’s as close to reality as possible.

Screens are getting bigger, designs are getting slimmer and content is becoming more varied. Keeping pace with trends, increasing speaker channels and doing so in three dimensions, and advancing our AI technologies to allow channels to better correspond to one another will bring us closer to delivering realistic sound. This may ultimately lead us into an era where you do not need a remote control to adjust sound settings.

Look forward to more Samsung TV innovations designed to maximize users’ viewing experience.

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[1] Source – Omdia, TV Sets Intelligence Service, Jan-2021. Ranking in terms of unit shipments for 15 years consecutive years ending 2020. Results are not an endorsement of Samsung. Any reliance on these results is at the third-party’s own risk.

The TVs’ immersive displays are just as suitable for streaming heart-pumping workouts as they are for catching up on the latest binge-worthy show. And with simple controls for managing apps and connected devices, they make it easier to stay productive when working from home.

Read on for our tips on getting the most out of your Samsung Smart TV.

Enjoy Free Live TV

** Channel offerings may vary depending on region.

With Samsung TV Plus^[1] Smart TV users get instant access to over 20 channels spanning news, sports, entertainment and more – so they’ll never be at a loss when sitting down to stream.

Samsung TV Plus is 100% free, and comes pre-installed on all 2017 to 2020 Samsung Smart TVs. No downloads, additional devices, or credit cards required. With a simple internet connection, you can pick up where you left off on recently watched shows, discover new ones, and access video-on-demand services with ease.

With an ever-growing list of free channels – including CBC News, Wired, Funny or Die, TMZ and FilmRise Free Movies – Samsung TV Plus offers entertainment for every taste.

Work Up a Sweat

As much as we might enjoy our commute-free routines when working or studying from home, it’s still important to stay active throughout the day – even if that means turning your living room into a workout studio.

Luckily for Samsung Smart TV users, at-home workout videos catering to virtually all interests and abilities are just a few taps away.

Simply click on the exercise service of your choice, choose a workout to stream, and get started. It’s as simple as that. With the TVs’ high resolution, you’ll never miss a step while working up a sweat. And with a variety of services available and more on the way, it’s easy to find the content you need to take your fitness routine to the next level.

Samsung’s new Samsung Health service offers a simple solution to satisfy Smart TV users’ fitness and wellness needs. Set to launch at the end of May in Canada, Samsung Health^[2] combines free fitness content from world-class partners including the popular meditation app, Calm^[3], as well as expert coaches who will teach you new fitness programs including stretching, weight loss, endurance training, and more. Compatible with 2018-2019 Samsung Smart TVs, the apps make it easy for users to workout at home.^[4]

Work More Comfortably From Home

In addition to offering a range of options to help keep users active and entertained at home, Samsung Smart TVs make it easier to stay productive when it’s time to get to work.

In 2019, Samsung introduced its exclusive Remote Access feature. Available on the company’s latest Smart TVs, it allows users to remotely access and manage their personal computer(s) through their TV, regardless of their PC’s location.^[5]

Remote Access also offers a wide variety of cloud-based documentation services that can make it easier for students to continue studying at home. They can even use a web browser to view online courses and live lectures on their TV’s spacious screen so they won’t miss a single note or detail.

Remote Access also comes equipped with Wi-Fi Direct which facilitates seamless screen sharing between TVs and PCs, mobile phones and tablets. This versatile feature opens the door for users to enjoy a wide range of content on their TV’s larger screen.

Find Some Peace and Quiet

Even the most media-savvy among us occasionally find ourselves needing to take a break from staring at screens to enjoy some peace and quiet. Thankfully, Samsung TVs’ Ambient Mode can help us do just that.

Ambient Mode enables Smart TVs to foster a relaxing environment by displaying works of art, family photos and other calming content when turned off. For those times when you’d like to completely tune out, you can program Ambient Mode to match the wallpaper or background of the space behind your TV so your screen will blend seamlessly into its surroundings.

Transforming your TV into your own personal photo gallery is now easy thanks to Tap View. Available on Samsung’s latest TVs, Tap View lets you mirror photos and other media to your TV’s screen with a simple tap of your smartphone. And with QLED displays’ revolutionary image technology, you can rest assured that your favourite snaps will be showcased in the full, high-resolution quality they deserve.

We’ve only just scratched the surface of what Samsung’s Smart TVs can do. Click here to learn more about the lineup’s latest updates and innovations.

[1] Samsung TV Plus is available in Canada on 2017-2020 Smart TVs

[2] Service availability and content partners may vary by country. Samsung Health will be launching on 2020 Samsung Smart TVs in the near future. Users with 2018–2019 models will be able to access the apps mentioned above via their Smart TV’s Apps section.

[3] 2020 Calm Premium Subscription Offer: The Calm Premium subscription is a 6 month free promotion that is only open to Samsung Members in Canada who take advantage of this offer via the Samsung members App between April 14, 2020 and August 30, 2020. Offer only available to customers who are not current Calm subscribers, have not been Calm subscribers nor participated in a Calm trial before April 14, 2020. 30,000 free trial subscription coupons (‘coupons’) are available in North America. This offer will run until all coupons are exhausted. To receive your Calm Premium subscription, you must be a new Calm user and access this offer via the Samsung Members App. Users will be directed to the Calm website where they will be asked to provide valid form of payment upon registering for the 6 month free subscription. You will not be charged until the trial period expires. At the end of the trial period, you will be automatically charged the standard subscription price, currently CDN$49.99 per year. You can cancel your trial at no charge at any time before the trial expires. For full terms of the Calm Premium Subscription offer, please see here: https://www.calm.com/en/terms. Offer requires you to be a Samsung Member. Membership is free. To become a Samsung Member, please visit https://r1.community.samsung.com/t5/Canada/ct-p/ca. No part of this offer constitutes health or medical advice by Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.. Offer is open to Canadian residents only. Offer has no cash value. Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions unless otherwise specified by Samsung. Offer subject to change or cancellation by Samsung at any time. Limit one (1) free trial per customer. Samsung is committed to protecting your privacy. We will not use or disclose your personal information for purposes other than those for which it was collected without your explicit consent as required by law. To view our privacy policy, visit http://www.samsung.com/ca/info/privacy.html.

[4] Instead of downloading the app, users can choose to access the service via their Smart TV’s web browser.

[5] 5 Available on 2019 and newer Smart TV models. Both the TV and PC must be connected to a network.