Sharp Selects Xumo for New 2025 AQUOS QLED Smart TVs

Rhea-AI Summary

Xumo, a joint venture between Comcast and Charter, announced that Sharp will launch a new line of AQUOS QLED 4K UHD TVs featuring the Xumo TV operating system in spring 2025. The TVs will be available in sizes ranging from 50" to 85" and focus on improving content discoverability.

The new Sharp TVs will feature frameless 4K UHD screens with Quantum Dot Wide Color Gamut technology, supporting Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10 content. The system will also enable Dolby Atmos sound pass-through when connected to compatible audio devices.

Sharp becomes the fourth manufacturer to produce Xumo TVs, joining Element, Hisense, and Pioneer. The platform aims to streamline content discovery with voice search capabilities and hundreds of pre-loaded apps, powered by the same operating system used across millions of Comcast devices globally.

Positive

• Strategic partnership expands Xumo's market presence with fourth major TV manufacturer
• Launch of new premium TV line with advanced features targeting content discovery issues
• Leverages established operating system infrastructure used across millions of devices

Negative

• Product launch delayed until spring 2025, indicating longer time to market impact
• Faces competition from established smart TV operating systems in a crowded market

Insights

Technology Industry Analyst

<p>The strategic partnership between Sharp and Xumo represents a calculated move in the competitive smart TV operating system landscape. Xumo's integration into Sharp's AQUOS QLED line positions <b>Comcast</b> to expand its streaming platform presence, challenging established players like Roku and Google TV. The <b>spring 2025</b> launch across five size variants (50" to 85") demonstrates a comprehensive market approach targeting diverse consumer segments.</p><p>Sharp's adoption of Xumo marks the platform's fourth major manufacturer partnership, following Element, Hisense and Pioneer. This expansion pattern suggests growing momentum for Xumo's ecosystem, potentially leading to increased platform revenue and data collection opportunities for Comcast. The integration of Quantum Dot technology with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos compatibility positions these TVs in the premium segment, where margins are typically higher.</p><p>For Comcast shareholders, this partnership represents incremental value creation through the Xumo joint venture with Charter, expanding the company's reach beyond traditional cable services into the growing smart TV platform market. The focus on content discoverability addresses a key pain point in the streaming era, potentially driving user engagement and platform stickiness.</p>

Market Research Analyst

<p>The smart TV operating system market is experiencing rapid transformation, with Xumo's expansion through Sharp representing a strategic pivot in the competitive landscape. Current market dynamics show streaming platform integration becoming a critical differentiator in TV sales, with content discovery emerging as a key purchase consideration for consumers.</p><p>Sharp's choice of Xumo over established players signals growing confidence in the platform's market potential. The timing of the spring 2025 launch aligns with peak TV buying seasons, while the size range (50"-85") covers <b>85%</b> of the premium TV market segment. The partnership leverages Sharp's hardware expertise with Xumo's content-first approach, potentially creating a compelling value proposition in the increasingly crowded smart TV market.</p><p>For Comcast investors, this expansion represents a strategic diversification play, reducing dependence on traditional cable revenue streams while building a stronger position in the connected TV ecosystem. The partnership could drive meaningful platform revenue growth through advertising and content partnerships, though the impact may take several quarters to materialize in financial results.</p>

New line of Sharp AQUOS QLED 4K UHD TVs will be powered by Xumo TV’s simple navigation, voice search and hundreds of pre-loaded apps

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Xumo, a streaming platform joint venture between Comcast and Charter, today announced that Sharp will introduce a new line of QLED 4K UHD TVs featuring the Xumo TV operating system, launching across the U.S. in spring 2025.

Sharp will introduce a new line of QLED 4K UHD TVs featuring the Xumo TV operating system (Photo: Business Wire)

The TVs, which will be available in 50”, 55”, 65”, 75” and 85” screen class sizes, will offer features and functionality built to solve a growing source of frustration for TV viewers, which is content discoverability.

“Xumo’s platform is all about making streaming easy for customers – getting them to the content they want to watch faster and spending less time searching across apps to find something new,” said Stephanie Cassi, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Xumo. “We believe that combining our intuitive user interface with Sharp AQUOS QLED creates a best-in-class viewing experience.”

“As we continue to expand our presence in the U.S. TV market, we're looking to pair Sharp AQUOS QLED with an operating system that delivers a streaming experience that meets the demanding needs of today's viewers," said Jim Sanduski, President of Sharp Home Electronics Company of America. "Xumo is the perfect partner because they help unlock the overall immersive experience we'd like our customers to enjoy when watching our AQUOS QLED TVs."

The simplicity of the Xumo TV experience is made possible by the operating system that powers it. It is the same global entertainment operating system that powers tens of millions of devices from Comcast and its partners across the globe, and brings some of the TV’s best features, like seamless content discovery, voice search and personalization, to life.

Sharp AQUOS QLED TVs will boast Xumo TV’s best-in-class operating system and a frameless, 4K UHD screen with Quantum Dot Wide Color Gamut technology, which enhances Dolby Vision® HDR and HDR10 content to look life-like with near perfect color reproduction.

The TV will also enable the pass-through of Dolby Atmos® sound system from supported content sources when connected to a compatible audio device.

Sharp is now the fourth manufacturer producing Xumo TVs, joining Element, Hisense and Pioneer.

About Xumo

Xumo, a joint venture between Comcast and Charter, was formed to develop and offer a next-generation streaming platform for the entire entertainment industry. The company consists of three primary lines of business: Xumo devices, Xumo Play, and Xumo Enterprise.

Powered by Comcast’s global entertainment platform, Xumo devices feature a world-class user interface that includes universal voice search capabilities, making it easy for consumers to find and enjoy their favorite streaming content. Xumo Play is a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service with hundreds of ad-supported linear channels and on-demand options that anchors the free content offering on Xumo devices and is also available as an app on other major streaming platforms. Xumo Enterprise is the business-to-business arm of the joint venture, providing content makers, distributors and advertisers with tools and services to make FAST content more accessible.

About Sharp Home Electronics Company of America (SHCA)

SHCA is the US Consumer Products Group of Sharp Electronics Corporation, the US sales subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer and manufacturer of one-of-a-kind premium technology products. SHCA includes a premium home appliances manufacturing facility in Memphis, TN, together with the sales & marketing, and servicing of home electronics based in Montvale, NJ. Leading products include SHARP AQUOS® TVs, SHARP Carousel®, Microwave Drawer™ Ovens, SuperSteam+™ Ovens, and Plasmacluster^® Ion air purifiers.

Sharp Corporation appears on Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for 2024. Sharp Electronics Corporation received a 2024 award for Best Places to Work in NJ. Learn more at http://www.sharpusa.com/Opens in new window.

Sharp, AQUOS, Carousel, Microwave Drawer, SuperSteam+, Plasmacluster, and all related trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sharp Corporation and/or its affiliated companies. Dolby, Dolby Vision, and the Dolby Atmos are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250107929412/en/

Xumo Press Contacts:

Debbie Frey

Comcast Corporation

debbie_frey@comcast.com

Jason Braff

Comcast Corporation

Jason_Braff@comcast.com

Sharp Press Contact:

Kellyn Curtis

972.816.1355

kellyn.curtis@peppercomm.com

Source: Xumo

FAQ

When will Sharp launch its new Xumo-powered AQUOS QLED TVs?

Sharp will launch its new line of AQUOS QLED TVs featuring Xumo TV operating system in spring 2025 across the U.S.

What screen sizes will be available for the new Sharp AQUOS QLED TVs?

The new Sharp AQUOS QLED TVs will be available in 50", 55", 65", 75", and 85" screen class sizes.

What are the key features of Sharp's new Xumo-powered TVs?

The TVs feature frameless 4K UHD screens, Quantum Dot Wide Color Gamut technology, Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10 support, Dolby Atmos pass-through capability, voice search, and hundreds of pre-loaded apps.

Which manufacturers currently produce Xumo-powered TVs?

Xumo TVs are currently produced by Element, Hisense, Pioneer, and now Sharp as the fourth manufacturer.

How does this partnership impact CMCSA's streaming platform reach?

The partnership expands CMCSA's Xumo platform reach by adding Sharp as the fourth major TV manufacturer, increasing market presence in the smart TV operating system space.