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| Xbox Cloud Gaming is expanding to more smart TV platforms, with Google TV next in line through TCL. |
By Jon Scarr
CES 2026 has turned into a big week for cloud gaming on TVs. Following Xbox confirming cloud gaming support on select Hisense smart TVs and Boosteroid announcing its launch on Whale TV models, TCL has now added Google TV to the conversation.
The company confirmed that Xbox Cloud Gaming is coming to its Google TV lineup, signaling the first concrete move toward Xbox support on the platform. The Xbox Game Pass app will be added through a future software update, allowing games to be streamed directly to the TV without an Xbox console.
What TCL Actually Announced
TCL’s confirmation centers on its X11L model, the only 2026 TV the company has detailed so far. The Xbox Game Pass app is expected to arrive via an over-the-air update, though no specific release window beyond 2026 has been shared.
The company stopped short of saying the app would be limited to TCL devices. There’s also been no direct confirmation from Microsoft or Google about broader Google TV support, leaving open questions about how far this rollout will go.
Google TV Has Been Missing From Xbox’s Cloud Gaming TV Push
Xbox has been steadily expanding where its cloud gaming app shows up. Samsung smart TVs came first, followed by LG sets and select Amazon Fire TV models. Throughout that rollout, Google TV stood out for being left behind, despite its wide reach across TVs and streaming devices.
This TCL announcement doesn’t suddenly close that gap, but it does break the stalemate. Even a limited rollout suggests that the technical or business hurdles that kept Google TV sidelined are finally starting to move. After years of silence, there’s now a clear signal that the platform is back on Xbox’s radar.
The timing also fits a broader pattern at CES 2026. Smart TVs are increasingly being treated as full platforms rather than passive displays. Cloud gaming apps landing directly on TV operating systems reinforce that shift, especially as more services skip dedicated hardware and lean into screens people already own.
There are still unanswered questions. For now, Xbox Cloud Gaming on Google TV appears tied to TCL’s hardware, with the X11L as the only confirmed model. It’s unclear whether other Google TV devices, including streaming dongles or TVs from other brands, will be included later.
TCL hasn’t offered a more precise launch window, and Microsoft hasn’t issued a standalone announcement yet. Until that happens, this should be viewed as an early step rather than a full rollout. Still, for Google TV users who have watched other platforms get Xbox support first, this is the clearest progress the platform has seen in years.
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