On this episode of Inside Content, I’m joined by Rose Hulse, Founder & CEO at ScreenHits TV, to explore how “smart TV in the car” is reshaping the in‑car entertainment landscape.
ScreenHits launched its first automotive integration with Porsche three years ago, bringing a unified launcher experience—aggregating live TV channels, streaming apps, and personalised watchlists—directly into the dashboard of models like the Cayenne, Taycan, Panamera and 911. Today, the service spans over 63 markets with more than 1,500 distinct content catalogues, from major streamers to local broadcasters, all delivered through a single, streamlined interface.
“ScreenHits really acts as the launcher, the face of TV in the car,” explains Rose.“Passengers can seamlessly jump into live news or pick up their favourite shows across multiple streaming services—whether it’s Bloomberg in the front seat or a kids’ programme in the back.”
Key highlights from our conversation include:
- Unified Discovery & Guide: Users access a central “Discover” page showing everything they’ve been watching, recommended videos across services, and a traditional TV‑guide layout populated by streamers and live channels side by side.
- Global & Local Content Blends: By partnering with local streamers in markets from the UK (BBC, ITVX) to Germany (Joyn) to the US (PBS), ScreenHits ensures geo‑aware content delivery—even across border crossings like Dover to Calais.
- Selective Live TV Offering: Rather than overwhelming drivers with hundreds of channels, ScreenHits curates no more than ~50 live feeds per territory and leaves on‑demand services off by default—so each car’s home screen remains clear and relevant.
- Data‑Driven Partnerships: While respecting OEM privacy, ScreenHits shares audience engagement metrics—session lengths, content types, child‑vs‑adult viewing—with content partners to help them test new formats and ad models (including FAST channels and specialised CPMs).
- OEM Collaboration Models: Different automakers adopt varied strategies—from full app‑store openness to tightly controlled launchers. ScreenHits fits neatly into both, offering lightweight integration, analytics sharing, and the ability to plug into Android Automotive or proprietary in‑car OS environments.
- Future Trends: Rose predicts a surge in FAST/linear channels (no extra log‑ins), transactional rentals directly from the car’s “storefront,” and a continued focus on news, sports and short‑form content during charging or short trips—while gaming and children’s programming keep rear‑seat passengers engaged.
Topics discussed:
· Introduction to Rose Hulse and ScreenHits: Rose’s journey and the company’s vision for smart TV in vehicles
· Dashboard UX & ContentDiscovery: How the launcher unifies streaming, live TV and watchlists
· Content Partnerships & Rights Management: Managing 63 markets, geo‑blocking and catalog curation
· Live TV vs. On‑Demand: Balancing limited channel lineups with user choice
· Data & Monetisation: Sharing insights with OEMs and content partners to drive new revenue streams
· OEM Integration Strategies: App stores, custom launchers and hardware considerations
· Future of In‑Car Media: FAST channels, news/sports focus and the impact of EV charging times
Tune in for a deep dive into how ScreenHits is powering the next frontier of in‑vehicle entertainment—keeping passengers—and even drivers—to‑some‑extent—better informed, more entertained, and seamlessly connected on the road.
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