Reliance to launch India’s first indigenous smart TV OS

Reliance Industries is testing India’s first indigenously developed smart TV OS, Jio TV OS, for a potential launch by Diwali. The OS, based on Android, aims to compete with established platforms and will be available for homegrown TV manufacturers without licensing fees

Reliance Industries has started testing India’s first indigenously developed smart television operating system (OS) for a potential commercial launch by Diwali, according to industry executives. The Jio TV OS, based on Google’s Android platform, aims to compete with top TV manufacturer OSs such as Samsung’s Tizen, LG’s webOS, Skyworth’s Coolita, and Vidaa by Hisense. It has provided OS for beta tested to some homegrown TV manufacturers for feedback and bug fixes.

Reliance plans to launch 4K and full high-definition smart televisions running its Jio OS and is also entering licensing agreements with other homegrown TV manufacturers. These models, sold under the BPL and Reconnect brands, will primarily target the entry-level segment. An industry executive noted that the Jio smart TV OS would help Jio bundle its apps like JioCinema, drive revenue through advertising, and promote its Jio broadband connections. Last year, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd chairman Akash Ambani announced plans to develop a smart TV OS, but provided no further details.

Reliance is not charging licensing fees for the Jio TV OS to boost its popularity. Large multinational companies like Samsung and LG, which have their own smart TV OSs, are unlikely to adopt it. Therefore, Reliance aims to partner with homegrown and smaller brands to increase adoption. The Jio TV OS is open-source, allowing developers to build apps optimized for smart TVs and other connected devices like smartphones.

According to Counterpoint Research, India’s smart TV shipments declined by 14% year-on-year in the January to March period. However, shipments for 55-inch and above screen sizes rose by 23%, making it the only segment to show growth. The market is expected to decline by 10% in 2024 due to reduced demand for small-screen TVs.