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Abstract Background Information and communication technologies have great potential to address the psychosocial needs of Older Adults (OAs) living in geriatric institutions. With the development of Digital Interactive Television (DiTV) systems, communication, entertainment, online purchases and other functionalities and services are accessible directly on a television screen. Thus, DiTV could be a promising and accessible solution to help meet several needs of OAs, especially in geriatric settings. Method A mixed‐methods research was conducted to identify barriers of DiTV use among geriatric residents with the aim of identifying accessible specifications for the system, and recommendations for its implementation. First, semi‐structured interviews were conducted within 3 French nursing homes already equipped with a DiTV (OAs: n = 18; professionals: n = 6). Interviews were then transcribed with the MAXQDA software and processed using a thematic deductive analysis inspired by a multidimensional health technology assessment model. Secondly, user tests compared the ability to use a DiTV (e.g., errors made and need of assistance) by OAs living in geriatric institutions (n = 20), and OAs living at home (n = 15). Four questionnaires (e.g., socio‐demographic and technological habits questionnaire, System usability Scale (SUS), and Technology Assessment Model (TAM)) helped identify the acceptability and usability of the DiTV. Result Preliminary results showed that DiTV systems can be well accepted by OAs who recognize the advantage of this system in terms of communication and entertainment. However, its use may be hindered by organizational (e.g., workload), technological (e.g., ergonomic issues), human (e.g., health issues), ethical (e.g., privacy), and safety factors (e.g., frustration due to technical problems). The second part of the study revealed that OAs living in geriatric institutions made more initiation errors and needed more assistance (help or confirmation) in comparison to OAs living at home, even though the DiTV provides some guidance on the remote‐control buttons. Conclusion Beyond organizational, safety, and technological issues, the presentation and training on the DiTV are essential to reassure and accompany OAs in the discovery of a new device, even one as familiar as the television.