question & answer
Mitchell & Brown sets its stall for future growth
On the launch of its first Android platform TVs, IER’s managing editor Simon King talks to Mitchell & Brown’s operations director Dan Brown about the drive to become a mainstream UK TV brand
Simon King: What’s new at Mitchell & Brown? Dan Brown: We are very excited to announce the incorporation of Android TV into the Mitchell & Brown stable. Running into the selling season is not the usual time to add models or revisions into the range, but we were able to launch some Android smart TV models in time for Christmas. Rolling out now, our flagship near-borderless KBL models (43in, 50in and 55in) will feature the latest specification Android TV operating system. The move puts Mitchell & Brown head-to-head with the big, mainstream TV brands, giving our retailers a real alternative to sell, whether their customers are traditionally more mature independent retail shoppers, or tech-savvy 20-somethings.
SK: Why did Mitchell & Brown choose Android TV? DB: Android TV is essentially the Android operating system optimised for the big screen in your home, making it supremely easy for customers to learn and use. That fits perfectly with Mitchell & Brown’s mission to offer the best performing, easiest to use TVs backed up with
‘‘ We are fully committed to
the Android operating system for our smart TVs
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outstanding customer service. Google has been refining Android for well over a decade, and most of the UK is already familiar with the mobile interface. Not only is Android TV the most straightforward smart TV operating system to understand, but it is also one of the best featured and most robust too. We have put significant investment into this top-tier Google technology as it was the obvious choice for Mitchell & Brown TVs.
IER: What new features does Android bring? DB : Google’s 2021 overhaul of the Android TV interface has really set the benchmark for OEM smart operating systems. It integrates Google Assistant for voice control, and the tile-based interface mimics the mobile platform that everyone is familiar with, making it much easier to learn and navigate. The top row of the home screen is the
Content Discovery Bar, which offers suggested content based on your previous viewing habits and searches. That pulls content from across broadcast TV and smart services, making for seamless integration of all available TV content. It also offers access to all the major streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, NowTV, Disney+ and many more.
IER: What is the roadmap for Mitchell & Brown smart TVs? DB: Our flagship KBL series are the first to get
‘‘ The move puts Mitchell &
Brown head-to-head with the big, mainstream TV brands
Android TV, and our intention is to roll out Android across our smart TV ranges through 2022. Most of our 2022 smart TVs will be Android from launch in the spring, with some series likely to move to Android a little later in the year. Having tried and tested several alternatives,
we are fully committed to the Android operating system for our smart TVs into the future as it is by far the slickest, best featured, and easiest to use – Sony came to the same conclusion!
IER: What does Android TV mean for the brand? DB: The roll-out of Android TV across the Mitchell & Brown smart TV range will be pivotal for the brand as we head into 2022. How great is it that a small family-run British TV brand is now competing head-on with the likes of Sony by offering top-spec TVs with an identical, cutting- edge operating system? Factor in our network of loyal customer-
focused independent retailers, our in-house customer support and the 7-year warranty on every Mitchell & Brown TV, and we feel that we have an unrivalled TV proposition for UK retailers and consumers alike.
November 2021
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