Microsoft is partnering with TCL to bring its Xbox app to supported TCL smart TVs. The move comes as the company expands its cloud‑gaming service to more television sets and introduces new pricing options.
Xbox App Functionality
The Xbox app on TCL TVs will allow users to connect to Xbox Cloud Gaming and stream Game Pass titles or select games that they own as part of a subscription. The app is designed to give viewers access to the same library of games that is available on Xbox consoles, but delivered directly to the television screen.
Timing and Pay‑as‑You‑Go Launch
Microsoft says the Xbox app will arrive on TCL TVs at some point “in the coming months.” The rollout is timed to coincide with the company’s new pay‑as‑you‑go option for Xbox Cloud Gaming, which will launch in November. The pay‑as‑you‑go model will let anyone access the cloud streaming service without the need to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, making the service more accessible to people who do not own an Xbox console.
Free, Ad‑Supported Testing
Microsoft has also been testing a free, ad‑supported version of cloud gaming for Xbox Insiders. That version could roll out soon, adding another option for users to play Xbox games on their televisions without a paid subscription.
Subscription Limits and Hour Bundles
While the company is opening up access to cloud gaming, it is also limiting the number of monthly cloud hours available to Game Pass subscribers. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers will be limited to just 15 hours of cloud access per month, Premium subscribers to 10 hours, and Game Pass Essential subscribers to only 5 hours. Subscribers who need additional playtime will have to purchase bundles of cloud hours.
Other TV Manufacturers Joining the Partnership
TCL is the latest in a line of TV manufacturers to partner with Microsoft to roll out the Xbox app. Hisense added the app to its TVs running the VIDAA OS earlier this year. Many Samsung, LG, and Amazon Fire TV devices also have access to the Xbox app, expanding the number of televisions that can stream Xbox games.
Broader Expansion of Xbox Cloud Gaming
The announcement underscores Microsoft’s broader strategy to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to more televisions while simultaneously tightening usage limits for subscribers. By offering a pay‑as‑you‑go model and testing a free, ad‑supported tier, Microsoft is looking to attract new players while maintaining a controlled experience for existing subscribers.
As the Xbox app becomes available on TCL TVs, users will be able to enjoy a growing library of games directly on their television screens. The timing of the rollout, paired with the upcoming November launch of pay‑as‑you‑go cloud gaming, signals a significant shift in how Microsoft is positioning its gaming services for a wider audience.
Norman Pearlstine is the Executive Editor and Co-Founder at News Raise. With over two decades of experience across financial journalism, corporate governance, and market analysis, Norman leads the editorial direction and ensures strict adherence to journalistic accuracy and ethics.
