With approximately 8% smart TV market share in the US, and one million Roku TVs in the homes of consumers at the end of 2015 alone, Roku enters 2016 with plans for the first 4K UHD Roku TV models.
Roku also also announced the introduction of the Roku TV HDR reference design, and its TV OEM partners expect to introduce nearly 60 Roku TV models.
“We’re very pleased with the success of Roku TV since the launch of our licensing program in 2014. Consumer response and engagement has been tremendous, and our TV partners have secured great retail placement and stellar product reviews that have led to strong sales results,” said Chas Smith, general manager of OEM for Roku.
“We expect momentum for Roku TV to accelerate as we continue efforts to add new TV partners while expanding our work with existing partners to bring many more Roku TV models to the U.S., Canada and soon Mexico.”
TCL is the first Roku TV partner to announce a 4K UHD Roku TV (pictured above), with multiple models expected to hit store shelves this spring, first in mexico and to be followed by the US. 4K UHD TVs from additional Roku TV partners are expected to be available this year.
Roku is also releasing the Roku TV HDR reference design for TV partners to incorporate HDR technology into future 4K UHD Roku TV models. Roku is working closely with Dolby® to implement support for Dolby Vision HDR into the reference design. The Roku TV HDR reference design will also include support for the HDR 10 standard. TCL will be an initial TV partner to integrate the Roku TV HDR reference design.
“The introduction of 4K UHD TCL Roku TV models is a significant step in our partnership with Roku,” said Chris Larson, VP of sales and marketing, TCL.
“We’re confident we’ll deliver one of the richest experiences available on a 4K smart TV, and that consumers will love the complete 4K entertainment package these TVs deliver. TCL is also thrilled to be one of the first partners using the new Roku TV HDR reference design to enhance the great picture quality of TCL Roku TVs.”
In 2015, nearly 40 Roku TV models were available from five TV partners including Haier, Hisense, Insignia, Sharp and TCL with models ranging in size from 28” to 65”.
Roku TV OEM partners are expected to introduce nearly 60 Roku TV models in 2016. Availability is also expanding into more countries with TCL Roku TVs expected to hit store shelves in Mexico in the first half of the year. This international expansion follows the spring 2015 launch of Roku TV in Canada with models available from both the Insignia and Sharp brands.
