Hello dear readers! I’m Marta.
The world of sharing content on televisions has evolved so much that it already seems like science fiction. I remember when sharing content meant inviting the neighbours over to watch the only television in the neighbourhood, and now here we are, sending YouTube videos from our phone to the TV as if we were technological wizards. The evolution has been so fast that many people still don’t know all the possibilities they literally have in the palm of their hand.
Let’s start with the basics: the Chromecast, that small Google device that turned millions of “dumb” televisions into smart TVs overnight. You connect this small HDMI dongle to your television, set it up with your WiFi, and voilà! You can now send content from your phone, tablet or laptop directly to the big screen. It’s so simple that even my aunt Paqui, who still thinks WiFi works with 1950s radio waves, has learned to use it to watch her Turkish soap operas.
If you have a more modern television, it probably already comes with some integrated system like Android TV, WebOS (LG), Tizen (Samsung) or tvOS (Apple TV). All these systems allow you to share content wirelessly, although each one has its peculiarities. It’s like family WhatsApp groups: the function is the same, but each one has its own rules and internal dramas.
For Apple users, AirPlay is their best friend. This system allows you to send content from any Apple device (iPhone, iPad or Mac) to an Apple TV or AirPlay-compatible televisions. The integration is so smooth it seems like magic, although of course, we’re talking about Apple, so that magic comes with a rather high price tag. It’s like going to a luxury restaurant: the experience is fantastic, but the bill can give you a small heart attack.
Android users have several options, from the aforementioned Chromecast to the “Smart View” or “Screen Mirroring” feature that comes integrated in many devices. This feature allows you to mirror your phone’s screen on the television, ideal for showing holiday photos or so the whole family can watch you play Candy Crush (and tell you how badly you’re doing it, because that’s family love).
But sharing content goes beyond simply sending videos or photos to the big screen. Streaming platforms like Netflix, HBO Max or Disney+ have incorporated social features that allow you to share what you’re watching on social networks or even watch content simultaneously with friends who are somewhere else. The “Netflix Party” feature (now Teleparty) became especially popular during the pandemic, allowing you to watch series and films remotely but synchronised, with a chat included. It’s like going to the cinema with your friends, but without having to put up with the typical one who never stops talking or the one who chews popcorn as if grinding rocks.
Social networks have also entered the game of television content. Twitter fills up with real-time comments during sporting events or popular programmes, creating a “second screen” experience that enriches viewing. It’s fascinating to see how a football match or the finale of a popular series can become a worldwide trending topic, with millions of people commenting simultaneously. It’s the modern version of pub banter, but without the smell of frying oil and with much more reach.
For the more tech-savvy, there are solutions like Plex or Kodi that allow you to create your own media server at home and share your content across all your devices. You can have your library of films, series, music and photos centralised and accessible from any television, phone or tablet connected to your network. It’s like having your own personal Netflix, but without having to pay a monthly subscription (although you will need some technical knowledge or a geeky friend to set it up for you).
In short, sharing television content has become a fundamental part of our entertainment experience. Whether it’s sending videos to the big screen, commenting on social networks or watching content synchronised with distant friends, television has stopped being a passive and solitary experience to become something social and interactive. So the next time you’re watching that hilarious cat video on your phone, remember that you can share it on the big screen so the whole family laughs with you. Because as the modern proverb says: “Shared content, multiplied fun”. See you next time, tech friends!
