Reliance Industries starts testing country’s first smart television operating system

One of India’s largest conglomerates, Reliance Industries, has reportedly commenced testing Jio TV OS, India’s first indigenously developed Smart TV operating system. According to a report, Smart TVs running Jio TV OS could launch by Diwali this year. Reliance is collaborating with India’s home-grown television manufacturer to launch Smart TVs powered by Jio TV OS.

The Jio TV OS is based on Google’s Android TV platform and will compete against established TV OS manufacturers, including Samsung Tizen OS, LG webOS, Skyworth Coolita OS, and Hisense Group Vidaa OS. The company has provided its Jio TV OS for beta testing to collect valuable feedback and improve the operating system.

Moreover, the report states that Reliance will launch 4K and full-HD Smart TVs running Jio TV OS as well as license the OS to other television manufacturers. For the unaware, Reliance already sells Smart TVs under the BPL and Reconnect brands. Smart TVs powered by Jio TV OS are expected to target the entry-level market.

The Jio TV OS will allow the company to bundle other Jio apps, such as JioCinema, JioHome, JioSaavn, and more. Further, the company will be able to generate revenue through advertising and bundle the Jio broadband connection. To recall, in October 2023, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd chairman Akash Ambani announced the plans to develop a Smart TV OS.

In addition, Jio will not charge licensing fees for the Jio TV OS to make the OS popular in the entry-level Smart TV segment. “Large MNCs like Samsung and LG are unlikely to roll out TVs on this OS since they have their smart TV OS. So, Reliance wants to enter into an agreement with some of the homegrown and smaller brands to increase adoption,” an executive said in a statement to ET. It is also said that the Jio TV OS will be open source, which will allow developers to make optimized apps for the OS.

The development and testing of the Jio TV OS signify Reliance Industries’ commitment to innovation and its ambition to redefine the digital landscape in India. It will be interesting to see how the development of the Jio TV OS shapes the future of the Smart TV market in India. OnlyTech