After pressure from TV owners, Samsung has finally conceded to making Xbox, Nvidia GeForce Now and Utomik available on 2021 Smart TVs – but still not earlier models.

Earlier this year, Samsung introduced the Gaming Hub exclusively on its 2022 Smart TVs meaning that the Xbox, Google Stadia, GeForce Now apps were also exclusive to the 2022 models. This is the worst example of TV apps being limited to newer Smart TVs so far.

Samsung will finally make some concessions by bringing the individual apps to 2021 Smart TVs later this year – the gaming hub will not be available on 2021 models. The company has not announced plans to bring the apps to earlier TV models that are fully capable of game streaming.

- "When Samsung Gaming Hub rolled out earlier this year on 2022 TV models, the number one question we received was ‘when is game streaming coming to my 2021 TV.’ Today we are happy to share with our eager fans that they will be able to play the games they love before the end of this year," said Mike Lucero, Head of Product for Gaming, NA Service Business Team, Samsung Electronics. 

Once available, the apps can be downloaded from the app store on 2021 Samsung Smart TVs. Eligible 2021 models include QN700A, QN800A, QN850A, QN900A, WS1A, LS03A, AU7000, AU8000, AU9000, Q50A, Q60A, Q70A, Q80A, QN85A, QN90A and QN95A.

The company did not comment on Amazon Luna availability beyond the 2022 models.


 Gaming Hub will still be exclusive to 2022+ Smart TVs but the individual apps will come to 2021 TVs. Photo: Samsung

More game streaming apps in 2023
In addition, the company announced that Antstream and Blacknut game streaming apps will launch on 2021, 2022 and 2023 Samsung Smart TVs next year.

- "Antstream Arcade believes that combining gaming’s past with gaming’s future will push the industry forward to the next era of video games," said Steve Cottam, CEO of Antstream Arcade. "What fulfills that promise better than retro arcade games played on Samsung’s most advanced Smart TVs? Game streaming provides gamers with more opportunities to play games they love or classics they missed out on."

- "Blacknut is now bringing the largest Cloud Gaming catalog included in one subscription to Samsung, the number one game streaming destination," said Nabil Laredj, VP, Business Development & Licensing at Blacknut. "We designed Blacknut as a family gaming platform including five player profiles that can play simultaneously. Bringing our service to Samsung devices allows more gamers to experience the future of gaming."


4K game streaming from Nvidia
Lastly, Samsung said that the Nvidia GeForce Now app will be updated to support 4K60 game streaming.

- "Rolling out in a few weeks, the offer will enable GeForce NOW players to stream PC games at up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second natively in 2022 and select 2021 Samsung Smart TVs without waiting for downloads, installs, patches or updates."

GeForce Now premium membership is required for an enhanced experience including 4K resolution, faster frame rates, RTX ON, priority access to Nvidia gaming servers and extended eight-hour session lengths.