According to The Economic Times, Reliance Industries is testing India’s first homegrown smart TV operating system, Jio TV OS. Based on Google’s Android platform, Jio TV OS will compete with Samsung’s Tizen OS, LG’s webOS, Skyworth’s Coolita OS, and Hisense’s Vidaa OS.
In addition to beta testing the Jio TV OS with local TV manufacturers, collecting feedback, and fixing bugs, Reliance plans to launch 4K and FHD smart TVs under the BPL and Reconnect brands, while licensing the OS to other Indian manufacturers.
Jio TV OS will allow Jio to bundle its apps, including JioCinema, generate advertising revenue, and package Jio broadband services. Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, announced the development of this smart TV OS last October.
To make Jio TV OS more appealing, Reliance is not charging licensing fees, since major brands such as Samsung and LG, with their OSes, are unlikely to adopt it. Due to its open-source nature, the Jio TV OS supports app development for smart TVs and other devices.
The overall market is predicted to decline by 10% in 2024 as a result of reduced demand for smaller TVs. However, Reliance plans to boost Jio TV OS adoption by partnering with smaller Indian brands despite the competition from global industry giants.
