Microsoft announced a partnership with HiSense today to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to select HiSense smart TVs. The expansion follows similar deals with Samsung, LG, and Amazon Fire TV over the past two years.
Xbox Game Pass will also reach Google TV platforms through TCL's new X11L flagship television. TCL confirmed at CES 2026 that the app arrives via over-the-air update in May, though initially limited to its premium model.
The HiSense integration targets TVs running homeOS, the rebranded VIDAA platform now called "V." Microsoft will share specific rollout details in coming months according to its Xbox Wire announcement. Both partnerships eliminate the need for physical Xbox consoles.
Xbox Cloud Gaming usage grew 45% year-over-year as of November 2025. Microsoft now offers the service across all Game Pass tiers in 29 global markets. The company's "This is an Xbox" campaign emphasizes ecosystem expansion beyond hardware.
Technical requirements remain consistent: Game Pass subscription, wireless controller, and stable internet connection. Streaming tops out at 1440p SDR resolution without 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos, or 120Hz support even on premium subscriptions.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer articulated this strategy in 2020, defining Xbox as anyone accessing its ecosystem regardless of device. The approach prioritizes recurring subscription revenue over console sales margins.
TCL's X11L starts at $6,999 for the 75-inch model, positioning Xbox access as a premium TV feature. Wider Google TV availability could follow the initial TCL exclusivity period typical of such platform partnerships.
The dual announcements at CES 2026 signal accelerated TV platform expansion following Samsung's 2022 debut, LG's 2025 integration announced at CES 2025, and Amazon's 2024 Fire TV support. Microsoft continues converting living room displays into Xbox endpoints.
