Roku is launching its own generation of smart TVs at this year’s CES in Las Vegas.
The company plans to license the new reference design platform and software stack to manufacturers to build and distribute Roku TV models. TCL and Hisense are the first partners and Roku will show its Roku TV models at CES.
TCL is the third largest global TV manufacturer in the world and shipped nearly 12 million TVs in 2012, accounting for 5% of the worldwide TV market. Hisense is the fifth largest global TV manufacturer in the world and shipped more than nine million TVs in 2012, accounting for nearly 4% of the worldwide TV market.
“Consumers will enjoy the ease and satisfaction of Roku TV while manufacturers leverage our design specifications, content relationships and software expertise. At the same time the content community will gain additional distribution and revenues through an already popular and trusted streaming platform – now in the TV,” said Roku CEO Anthony Wood.
“I’m very excited about our partnerships with TV manufacturers and the first Roku TV models planned for release this fall from TCL and Hisense.”
Roku TVs will have full access to the Roku Channel Store filled with more than 1,200 channels that offer 31,000 movies and feature TV shows and live sports plus news, music, kids, food, science, tech, fitness, foreign language and other programming.
Roku TV models are expected to be available for purchase this autumn from major retailers in the US and Canada.
They will be available in a variety of sizes ranging from 32 to 55 inches.
