TVMLKitTVUIKit

TVMLKitTVUIKit is an informal umbrella term used to describe the tvOS user interface development ecosystem that encompasses two Apple frameworks: TVMLKit and TVUIKit. It is not an official product name from Apple, but it appears in discussions and projects to refer to setups that involve both template-based UI and native UI components within the same Apple TV app.

TVMLKit is a framework that enables building tvOS UIs with TVML, an XML-like markup language executed by a JavaScript runtime. Apps launch a JavaScript file that creates a TVApplicationController, which loads and presents a hierarchy of TVML documents to render content. The UI is defined in templates, while behavior and data are supplied through JavaScript. Interactions are handled in JavaScript, with optional bridges to native code for deeper functionality. This approach supports rapid UI iteration and content-driven interfaces suitable for media catalogs and apps that rely on templated layouts.

TVUIKit is a native UI framework for tvOS that extends UIKit with components and behaviors tailored to television experiences. It provides focus-driven navigation, large typography, and tvOS-specific controls designed for remote control input and large-screen viewing. Developers work with Swift or Objective-C to build native interfaces, employing standard UIKit patterns augmented by TVUIKit’s tvOS enhancements when appropriate.

Usage and integration: Some apps leverage TVMLKit to deliver template-based content while using TVUIKit for certain native screens or features, creating a hybrid experience. The combination can introduce bridging and design considerations, as TVMLKit runs in a JavaScript context separate from native code. In practice, the term TVMLKitTVUIKit reflects a development approach rather than a single official framework or product.