Living room streaming is quietly undergoing its biggest reset since the first HDMI stick. As smart TV operating systems get faster, more intuitive and more tightly integrated with the hardware, the need for a separate box or dongle is starting to look like a legacy habit rather than a requirement. The question is no longer whether televisions can stream, but how quickly they will make dedicated devices feel optional for most viewers.
Behind that shift is a mix of economics, software power and changing viewer behavior that increasingly favors the TV’s own interface over a tangle of extra remotes and inputs. I see a future where external streamers survive as niche upgrades for enthusiasts, while the average household simply turns on the TV and finds everything it needs already waiting on the home screen.
The smart TV boom is setting the stage
The first reason separate streaming hardware is under pressure is simple scale. The Smart TV market is no longer a side category, it is the television market. One forecast projects that The Smart TV market is projected to grow from $ 255.55 billion in 2024 to $ 691.19 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 11.69% between 2025 and 2033, a trajectory that effectively guarantees that most new screens will ship with robust streaming platforms built in. When that many devices arrive preloaded with Netflix, Hulu and Disney+, the default choice for viewers is to use what is already on the TV rather than shop for a separate gadget.Penetration numbers back up that shift in behavior. One industry analysis notes that However, penetration of smart TVs paces ahead of external streaming devices, counting a presence in 68% of U.S. internet households, which means the built-in operating system is already the most common gateway to streaming. As more of those sets are upgraded and connected, the economic logic for manufacturers tilts toward investing in their own software ecosystems, and the economic logic for consumers tilts toward skipping the extra purchase.
Why viewers are gravitating to built-in apps
Convenience is the most obvious driver of this migration. Smart TVs promise convenience by integrating streaming apps like Smart TVs promise convenience by integrating streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ directly into the TV interface, so a single remote and a single home screen handle everything from live sports to kids’ shows. For many households, that simplicity outweighs the marginal performance gains of a separate box, especially when the TV’s own apps now support 4K, HDR and modern codecs.Connectivity has also improved to the point where the TV itself can be the streaming workhorse. Advocates of integrated platforms argue that Let us dive in, Convenience Redefined and One of the biggest advantages of Smart TVs with built-in Wi-Fi is the convenience and long term cost effectiveness compared with external streaming devices that can suffer from compatibility issues. When Wi‑Fi radios, processors and software updates are all tuned for the specific panel they live in, the friction of juggling HDMI inputs and firmware updates on multiple boxes starts to feel unnecessary.
Smart TV operating systems are getting smarter
The software layer on modern televisions is no longer a clunky afterthought. New research from Magid and Vizio suggests that practice is losing steam, as the latest generation of smart TVs allow viewers to treat the TV home screen as the primary hub for discovery and playback. In that research, But new research from Magid and Vizio shows viewers are shifting away from external Inputs: 34% vs 15%, a gap that underscores how quickly the TV’s own operating system is becoming the default starting point.That shift is reinforced by how aggressively TV makers now surface content recommendations, search results and promotions inside their own interfaces. One analysis notes that smart TV OS exerts more influence on viewing and discovery as manufacturers use their platforms to promote programmer partner content, which means the TV’s software is not just a passive list of apps but an active guide to what to watch next. As those recommendation engines improve, the value of a separate streaming menu on an external box naturally declines.
The economic case against extra hardware
Price pressure is another reason I expect external streamers to fade for mainstream users. When a new television already includes a competent streaming platform, the extra cost of a box or stick becomes harder to justify, especially in lower and midrange budgets. One buying guide puts it bluntly, noting that The biggest consideration is cost when deciding between a Smart TV or Streaming Media Player and which is best, because getting the content you want with just the push of a button is easier than ever, and if the TV already delivers that push button experience, many shoppers will stop there.Streaming device makers still argue that their hardware can offer a better user experience and more options, but even that pitch is starting to sound like a niche proposition. One overview of cord cutting notes that Choosing the right streaming device to make the most of your streaming services can provide a better user experience and more options, yet it implicitly acknowledges that the baseline experience is already available on the TV itself. As smart TV prices fall and their software improves, the incremental benefit of a separate box has to be very clear to overcome that built in value.
Why some experts still recommend a streaming box
Despite the momentum behind integrated platforms, there are still strong arguments for keeping a dedicated streamer in the mix, especially for power users. One detailed breakdown lists 3 reasons to still buy a streaming device in 2025, yes, even with smart TVs, noting that TVs are getting a whole lot smarter but you might not need to rely on them. Those reasons typically include faster app performance, more consistent updates and a cleaner interface that is not cluttered with ads or manufacturer promotions.There is also a trust factor at play. A widely shared video essay titled Your New Smart TV is LYING To You! Why You STILL Need a … argues that even brand new smart TVs with all the apps and a beautiful picture can fall short on privacy controls, long term support and honest marketing about capabilities. That skepticism keeps a market alive for external devices that promise a more transparent feature set, clearer privacy policies or simply a familiar ecosystem that can move with you from one television to the next.
How premium boxes fight back with features
To stay relevant, high end streaming hardware is leaning into features that televisions still struggle to match. A flagship example is Apple TV 4K unites your favorite Apple services with all your streaming apps in our best ever picture and sound quality and lets you enjoy a FaceTime experience on your TV when you use your iPhone as a mic, a level of ecosystem integration and cross device continuity that no TV maker can fully replicate. For viewers deeply invested in Apple Arcade, Fitness+ or iCloud Photos, that kind of tight coupling can justify keeping a box under the screen.Enthusiast roundups of the best hardware also highlight how much differentiation still exists at the top of the market. One curated list of the Most of the best TVs have streaming apps and software built in, Still dedicated streaming devices remain incredibly popular for improving the experience on your TV according to experts underscores that even as televisions get smarter, there is a segment of users who want the snappiest interface, the widest app catalog or the most advanced voice controls. For them, the TV’s operating system is a backup, not the main event.
The middle ground: smart TVs plus selective add-ons
In practice, many households are landing in a hybrid zone where the TV’s own apps handle everyday viewing while a single external device covers specific needs. A guide that asks whether you should use your TV’s smart platform instead of a streaming box notes that Mar explains that TVs are getting smarter but you might still prefer a streaming device if you like its software better, which captures the reality that software taste and small quality of life features can still tip the scales. If you love a particular search interface or recommendation engine, you may keep that box even as you rely on the TV for everything else.Hardware reviewers see the same pattern. One overview of the best streaming devices 2025 notes that in most TVs these days there are smart platforms built in that give you access to a variety of streaming services, from Netflix to Disney+, but you can still upgrade the experience by simply plugging in a stick or box. That framing treats the external device as an optional enhancement rather than a necessity, which is a subtle but important shift from the early days of streaming when the TV itself was often dumb glass.
The trend line: smart TVs encroaching on streamer turf
Industry watchers are increasingly explicit that the momentum favors televisions over peripherals. One analysis of a new viewing trend argues that The Smart TV Trend That Could Replace Streaming Devices suggests it may finally be time to ditch dedicated streaming devices and that demand for a separate streaming device will decline, especially as TV makers bake in more advanced apps like Plex and robust media server support. When a midrange set can handle local libraries, cloud gaming and mainstream streaming services without breaking a sweat, the rationale for a separate box narrows further.That does not mean all external hardware is doomed, but it does suggest a future where they are bought for very specific reasons rather than as default companions to every new screen. A video rundown of the Top 5: Best Media Streaming Device for 2025 leans heavily on differentiators like ecosystem lock in, advanced remotes and voice assistants, which are compelling for enthusiasts but less critical for casual viewers who just want Netflix and YouTube to work. As televisions absorb more of those baseline capabilities, the external market looks more like the domain of hobbyists and brand loyalists.
What this means for buyers in 2025
For anyone shopping today, the practical takeaway is that the TV’s own platform should be the starting point, not an afterthought. One smart home guide frames the choice as Smart TVs vs. Dedicated Streaming Devices and asks what is the best choice, noting that while Smart TVs promise convenience, dedicated boxes can expose your network to security vulnerabilities if not managed carefully. That is a reminder that every extra device you plug in is another software stack to update and another potential risk surface, which makes a well supported TV operating system more attractive.At the same time, buyers should be realistic about how long their television’s software will feel fast and fully supported. A consumer advice piece on Choosing the right streaming device points out that a reliable device can extend the life of your streaming setup by offering a better user experience and more options even as older TVs age. In practice, that means a smart TV can carry you for years on its own, and a relatively inexpensive box can be added later if the interface starts to lag or key apps stop updating.
How product design is converging on “smart by default”
Look at the latest hardware catalogs and it is clear that manufacturers are designing for a world where streaming is assumed, not added. Retail listings for new televisions increasingly highlight integrated app stores, voice assistants and gaming features as core selling points, not optional extras. One example is a product listing that foregrounds built in streaming capabilities, a sign that the TV itself is marketed as the streaming device.
The same pattern shows up across competing models. Another product page emphasizes its smart platform, while a third highlights integrated apps and connectivity, and yet another leans on its smart features as a primary selling point. When every major brand treats streaming as table stakes, the external box becomes a secondary accessory rather than the heart of the experience.
The likely endgame: fewer boxes, more choice
Put together, the data points to a future where most people stream directly through their televisions, while a shrinking but vocal minority continues to swear by dedicated hardware. A guide comparing a Smart TV or Streaming Media Player and asking which is best captures that balance: for many, the TV alone is now the better option, but for some, the extra device still earns its place. As smart TV operating systems continue to mature, that balance is likely to tilt even further toward the screen itself.
For now, the smartest move for most buyers is to treat the TV as the primary streamer and add a box only if there is a clear, specific reason to do so. Enthusiast roundups like the Top 5: Best Media Streaming Device for 2025 will continue to matter for those who chase every new feature, but the broader market is already voting with its HDMI ports. As more people power on a new set and find everything they need on the home screen, separate streaming devices start to look less like essentials and more like optional upgrades in a smart TV world.
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