China's television regulator has announced plans to embed the functions of set-top boxes directly into television sets as software, eliminating the need for a separate physical device. This move is part of a broader push toward integrated and simplified terminal equipment in the broadcasting sector.
At a State Council Information Office press conference held today, it was revealed that the National Radio and Television Administration, together with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, has been developing a unified technical standard for integrated televisions this year. Under this standard, traditional set-top box functions will be built into the television itself, creating an ultra-streamlined terminal that allows users to access all types of TV services, including live broadcasts and on-demand content, through a single device.
The initiative also includes the provision of a universal remote control, designed to allow one-touch power on/off and instant channel switching. According to the regulator, work is already underway to coordinate efforts across the industry to bring this new product form to market. However, given that a significant number of older television sets are unable to support such integrated upgrades, the initial rollout will target several tens of millions of units. As households gradually replace their aging TVs, it is expected that the "15th Five-Year Plan" period will see a much broader and more widespread adoption of this integrated television technology.
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