June 25, 2025 – According to a report by The Information yesterday, Google has made significant budget cuts to its Google TV initiative, slashing approximately $500 million, which accounts for around 10% of the project’s total budget. Alongside this, the company has also laid off roughly 75 employees from the Google TV team, representing about 25% of its workforce.
In response to these developments, Google issued a statement, emphasizing, “We remain committed to investing in Google TV, and this includes the upcoming integration of the Gemini AI model. With over 270 million Android TV devices currently in circulation, we are dedicated to fostering the growth of this ecosystem.”
Google TV, which serves as the pre-installed smart TV operating system on devices from brands like TCL and Hisense, finds itself in a highly competitive market. It faces stiff competition from well-established players such as Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV. The budget reduction suggests that Google may be shifting its strategic focus towards YouTube and its related offerings.
Sources familiar with the matter have indicated that Google might be planning further enhancements to YouTube, aiming to make it more akin to leading streaming platforms like Netflix or Disney+. However, these plans have not yet been officially confirmed by the company.
Moreover, the integration of Gemini is expected to bring a host of new features to Google TV. These include advanced voice control capabilities, improved content recommendation algorithms, and enhanced smart navigation functionalities. Google has stated that it will concentrate its efforts on platforms that boast a broader user base and offer greater growth potential.
