TCL is synonymous with Android TV in Europe but starting later this year the Chinese TV maker will also offer Roku TVs in Europe as well as South America.
Android and Roku TVs
The news was announced during Roku's second quarter earnings report. It was described as a "multi-year, multi-country partnership".
- "Roku & TCL are expanding their partnership to bring award-winning Smart TV's to Europe and South America later this year. This multi-year, multi-country partnership builds off the success that was started in 2014," the companies announced.
TCL is currently one of Google's main TV partners in Europe where it sells affordable Android TVs alongside brands like Sony, Philips, and Sharp. In the US, TCL has partnered with Roku and is currently the biggest Roku TV partner in the market.
The Chinese company will shake things up by bringing Roku TVs to Europe and Android TV to the US, meaning that it will offer both TV platforms in both markets.
Roku CEO Anthony Wood at IFA 2019. Photo: FlatpanelsHD
Historically, Roku's presence in Europe has been small and limited to inexpensive streaming players. At IFA 2019 in September, the company announced its intentions to bring Roku TVs to Europe in collaboration with TV makers, starting with the UK.
In Europe, Roku's TV platform will compete with more established TV platforms such as Apple's tvOS, Samsung's Tizen, LG's webOS, and Google's Android TV. Major streaming services including Amazon, Netflix and Disney+ are available in Europe but the market is more fragmented across borders due to regional players offering local language content through their own services. To gain foothold Roku would need to persuade local players to develop apps.
- "Roku's incredible brand recognition helped open the door for TCL with retailers and consumers. We look forward to rolling out more TV models with TCL in North America and seeing strong success in Europe and South America," said Mustafa Ozgen, SVP of Roku's Account Acquisition Business.
It is not clear if TCL is planning to bring its popular 5-, 6- and 8-series models to Europe or if it is planning to introduce a new line-up of Roku TVs for Europe. We hope to get more details in early September at IFA 2020.
- Source: Roku via HDGuru
