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Huge streaming rival to Fire TV goes bankrupt - here's what it means for customers

StreamView, the Austrian firm behind Thomson-branded Google TV devices in Europe, filed for bankruptcy after accumulating €36.6 million in debt, ending operations and sales of its popular Streaming Box Plus 270.
The collapse followed the breakdown of StreamView's relationship with its main Chinese supplier and financing partner, while a potential rescue by an investor also fell through, leaving the firm unable to sustain operations.
Thomson streaming boxes, priced at around £59, gained popularity as budget-friendly alternatives to Fire TV Sticks, particularly for sideloading capabilities. The Thomson Streaming Box Plus 270 received a 4.4 star rating from Amazon shoppers before becoming unavailable.
Existing devices remain functional, though customers may struggle with after-sales support. Established Inc, owner of the Thomson Brand, stated: "Established would like to reassure StreamView's end-consumers that all efforts are being made to ensure continuity of after-sales services."
Amazon is shifting new Fire TV models to Linux and Vega OS, preventing sideloading of apps from unknown sources. This shift restricts installations to the Amazon Appstore, contrasting with previous Android-based device flexibility.

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