Developing a React Native TV App
Article Summary
Anisha Malde (Amazon) and Karol Latusek (Callstack) reveal how React Native just became a serious contender for TV app development. With Expo SDK 50 adding native TV support, the barrier to entry just dropped significantly.
The authors break down two distinct paths for building TV apps with React Native: the quick-start Expo approach and the bare React Native route for custom requirements. They cover everything from initial setup to architectural decisions for multi-platform projects.
Key Takeaways
- Expo SDK 50 now includes built-in TV support alongside web and mobile
- Adding TV support requires just four configuration steps in existing projects
- Monorepo structure with Yarn workspaces recommended for separating TV and mobile code
- Replace core React Native with react-native-tvos fork for bare approach
Critical Insight
React Native now offers a viable cross-platform solution for TV development with minimal configuration overhead, whether you choose Expo's rapid prototyping or bare React Native's flexibility.
