CES 2026 made it clear that TV operating systems (TV OS) are shifting into an “AI-first” era, moving beyond basic voice commands into more conversational, context-aware help. Platforms like Google TV (with Gemini features coming) and LG’s webOS are emphasizing smarter discovery (what should I watch?), better understanding of what’s on the TV screen, and more personalized experiences. Another visible shift is that TV OS are expanding into ambient and lifestyle modes, with TVs acting more like always-on display surfaces that can show dynamic art, helpful info, and AI-driven visuals when you’re not actively watching.
At the same time, TV platforms are competing harder on long-term value and aggregation. Samsung’s push around multi-year OS upgrades reflect a broader trend toward phone-like software support expectations for TVs. Meanwhile, fight for control of the home screen is increasingly about who can provide the best unified live TV & FAST (free ad-supported streaming) experience, pulling channels and services into a single guide. Layer on deeper smart-home integration and more platform-level gaming/connectivity enhancements, and the TV OS battle in 2026 looks less like “which apps are available” and more like which OS delivers the smartest, longest-lasting, most seamless living-room experience.
