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See CoreELEC/LibreELEC/etc - totally replaces the (potentially dodgy) Android OS on these kind of streaming boxes with a stripped down Linux+Kodi setup

I thought those were for x86? They run on ARM TV boxes / sticks now?

LibreElec also supports ARM builds than can run on SBC like Raspberry Pi. While CoreElec is exclusively for Amlogic ARM processors.

If it's something like a Firestick (or the knock-off featured in the article), you're really just connecting to Content Provider servers to handle auth and content streaming, right? They're just OSes designed to run Netflix and Hulu. Would be hard to spoof I think

Indeed. Owning the streaming box lets you loose on whatever network it's on, but it doesn't actually get you inside the content gardens; those are separately managed by teams of people much more motivated to protect their IP.

Best case, you can grab the credentials off the Kodi box and use them on a clean install.

Worst case, everything is packaged up in a single app so it's all or nothing. Although you could just wipe the box and find another pirate TV provider.