Hi everyone,
We are developing a live TV streaming app for tvOS that allows users to watch live channels, replay content, and manage cloud recordings.
We are struggling to integrate Siri for a seemingly basic use case: switching the live TV channel by voice (e.g. "Hey Siri, switch to channel X on [our app]").
Here is what we have tried and observed:
- App Intents — we implemented custom intents, but Siri does not resolve them to our app for channel-switching requests.
- Shortcuts — we added Shortcuts support, but users have to explicitly configure them; Siri never proactively picks our app.
- In-app and out-of-app — the issue happens in both contexts. When the user asks Siri to switch to a channel, it either does nothing or suggests other applications, never ours.
Our questions:
- Is there a specific INPlayMediaIntent configuration or domain required to handle live TV channel switching via Siri on tvOS?
- Is proper Siri integration for live TV gated behind the Apple Video Partner Program? If so, is there any public documentation or a path for apps outside the US to access it?
- Has anyone successfully implemented voice-driven live channel switching on tvOS outside of the Video Partner Program?
Any guidance or pointers to relevant WWDC sessions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.