Microsoft to Expand Xbox Cloud Gaming App to TCL Smart TVs

Industry Pulse News Desk · 2026-09-04

The partnership allows television owners to stream video games directly to displays as Microsoft prepares a pay-as-you-go access model.

Microsoft Corporation has finalized an agreement with television manufacturer TCL Technology to integrate the native Xbox application into supported TCL smart television models. The software deployment, scheduled to begin in the coming months, will allow television owners to access cloud gaming services directly through their displays without requiring a dedicated video game console.

Through the application, users can connect to Xbox Cloud Gaming to stream titles available in the Xbox Game Pass subscription catalog, alongside select digital games owned by the user. The partnership marks another expansion of Microsoft's strategy to deliver its gaming library to third-party hardware environments.

The hardware rollout aligns with upcoming modifications to Microsoft’s cloud gaming monetization. Beginning in November, the technology company plans to launch a pay-as-you-go option for Xbox Cloud Gaming. This payment structure enables users to stream individual titles without committing to a recurring Xbox Game Pass membership, targeting consumers who do not own Xbox console hardware.

In tandem with the standalone payment option, Microsoft has also been conducting internal testing for a free, ad-supported tier of its cloud gaming service within the Xbox Insider program. The ad-supported framework could be released publicly following the conclusion of initial user trials.

The combined initiatives reflect an ongoing industry transition toward cloud-based distribution models that reduce hardware entry barriers for interactive entertainment. Microsoft previously made its Xbox app available on select television displays from other manufacturing partners as part of the broader cloud initiative.