What you need to know
- StreamView GmbH, the European licensed operator for Thomson streaming devices, filed for bankruptcy just weeks after launching the new equipment.
- The company is 36.6 million euros in debt and has no intention of getting bailouts, meaning operations, sales and distribution across Europe are effectively dead.
- StreamView’s downfall was reportedly caused by the loss of its relationship with its sole Chinese supplier.
Just two weeks after releasing a new streaming dongle, the company behind Thomson TVs and Google TV the boxes collapsed.
Austrian company StreamView GmbH, which owns the European license of Thomson company, declared bankruptcy. AVCaesar. According to Austria, the company has 36.6 million euros ($42 million) in debt Alpine Creditors Association. StreamView is not seeking a rescue deal or restructuring plan and will cease operations.
What happened? StreamView did not create the products itself. Instead, it partnered with brands, selling Nokia and later Thomson branded televisions. flow rodsand set-top boxes across Europe.
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The company was dependent on a Chinese supplier and financial partner. When that relationship ended and an upfront payment was required for delivery, StreamView’s cash flow stopped immediately. Attempts to find new investors were unsuccessful.
The hardware is in limbo
This is a real loss for people who like affordable options. Thomson found a good niche in the market, especially after Google stopped making Chromecast devices. The company sold a variety of products ranging from rebranding Walmart Onn 4K Pro boxes (like the Thomson Streaming Box Plus 270) look like the original Chromecast.
Last month, Thomson introduced the Google TV Streaming Box 245 (4K), which could compete with the Nvidia Shield. In early April, it released the GoCast 152 with a more powerful chipset.
Available stock will probably run out quickly, but you won’t be without support. A US company called Established Inc., the owner of the Thomson brand, is still in business. The company says it is looking for a new European partner and makes promises continue to provide after-sales support for existing devices during the search.
Android Central’s Take
In my opinion, this situation shows why the “brand-a-brand” business model can be problematic for people buying technology. These licensed deals may offer cheaper hardware with a well-known name, but you end up with a product that lacks a clear identity. If the middle company fails, buyers are left with a “smart” device that can quickly become a security risk.
Is this the end of Thomson’s Google TV hardware? If Established soon finds a new partner, these boxes may return to new management. However, don’t expect the Streaming Box 260 Pro, which has an Amlogic processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, to compete with other Google TV broadcasters.
For now, if you see a Thomson streaming stick in stores, buy it while you can. Stay tuned to see who takes over the license and if the brand gets a fresh start.
