Thomson TVs in 2026: manufacturer bankruptcy, what you need to know
Thomson is a name everyone knows. But in April 2026, the company that made and sold its TVs in Europe went bankrupt. Some very good 2025 models remain on the shelves, including a 55-inch Mini LED at a keen price. Here, in full transparency, is what you're buying and what remains uncertain.
- European manufacturer StreamView bankrupt end of April 2026
- No Thomson 2026 range : these are 2025 models
- In store: the Mini LED 55MG7C15 at 599,99 €
- Future updates uncertain, 2-year legal guarantee
What happened at Thomson?
The Thomson brand belongs to the Franco-American group Established, which also owns RCA, Blaupunkt, Schneider and Radiola. Thomson TVs sold in Europe were not made by Established: they were designed and marketed under licence by StreamView GmbH, an Austrian company (which also made Nokia TVs), with a Chinese subcontractor.
In March 2026, this licence had been extended to 2040. Yet, at the end of April 2026, StreamView filed for insolvency in Vienna, with no restructuring plan and around €36.6 million in debts. The reason given: the break with its sole Chinese supplier and financier, which now demanded to be paid in advance. Established said it wanted to maintain after-sales service and look for a new European partner. By mid-October 2026, no new TV partner had been announced, as far as we know.
The Thomson 55MG7C15 in detail
It's the only Thomson model in our catalogue, and the most interesting one from the brand: a QD Mini LED (Mini LED with quantum dots for brighter colours) running Google TV, released in Europe in October 2025.
| Feature | Thomson 55MG7C15 |
|---|---|
| Panel | QD Mini LED 4K, 240 local dimming zones, 10-bit |
| Frequency | 144 Hz native |
| HDR | HDR10 and Dolby Vision (no HDR10+ according to the spec sheets) |
| Sound | 40 W 2.1 (2 x 10 W and 20 W subwoofer), Dolby Atmos |
| Ports | 4 HDMI including 2 HDMI 2.1 (one with eARC), USB 3.0, optical output |
| Platform | Google TV, Google Assistant, built-in Chromecast (2 GB RAM, 32 GB storage) |
| Reception | Triple tuner: terrestrial (DVB-T2), satellite (DVB-S2) and cable (DVB-C) |
| Energy class | G |
| Spare parts | 7 years according to the product sheet |
| Nimestore list price | 599,99 € (no member price shown) |
The highlights
- 144 Hz Mini LED for under €600
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
- Built-in subwoofer: a real plus for sound
- Full Google TV, with Auvio, VRT MAX and Play
Limitations
- No HDR10+ (used by Prime Video)
- Only 2 HDMI 2.1 ports
- Energy class G: higher consumption
- Uncertain future for updates
Belgian apps on the 55MG7C15
Good news: the 55MG7C15 runs Google TV, the system with the most apps. According to the official help pages, RTBF Auvio (Android 8.1 or later), VRT MAX (Android TV 9 or later) and Play (formerly GoPlay) are available on Google TV, as are Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube and Apple TV. Telenet, VOO and Orange customers can also use their provider's app on Android TV. Only Pickx (Proximus) isn't available on any TV: it works through the Proximus box, an Apple TV or casting. Thanks to built-in Chromecast, you can also send a video from your smartphone in one tap.
What the bankruptcy means for you
Updates
On a Google TV set, there are two types of updates. The apps (Netflix, YouTube, Auvio...) update via the Google Play Store, independently of the manufacturer: they should keep working normally. The system updates (Google TV version, security patches, bug fixes) depend on the manufacturer. As long as no buyer has been found, nobody can say how long they will continue. In practice, the TV will work as it did on day one; it may simply stop receiving new features.
Warranty and after-sales service
In Belgium, the 2-year statutory guarantee is owed by the seller, not the manufacturer. If your TV breaks down during those two years, simply come back to the shop. After the warranty, parts availability is less certain than with a major brand, even though the spec sheet states 7 years and Established says it wants to provide service. A 3-year 'zero dead pixel' guarantee was promoted by the brand before the bankruptcy: we can't confirm it for you today.
The 55MG7C15 is a good TV, honestly. I'd recommend it if you want a budget Mini LED for sport and gaming and you're happy without a long-term update guarantee. If you plan to keep your TV for ten years, or peace of mind matters more than saving money, go for one of the rivals below instead.
The Thomson and its rivals at a similar price
TV LED THOMSON 55MG7C15€619.00
TCL 55P89L LED TV€593.00
TV QLED TCL 55C6K€568.00
LED TV SAMSUNG TU55M74H€556.00
Mini LED TV HISENSE 55U7SE€700.00
QLED TV HISENSE 55A7S€604.00Who it's for, and who it isn't for
The right profile
- You want a 55-inch Mini LED under €600
- You watch sport and play on console
- You want better sound than typical speakers, without a soundbar
- You change TV every four or five years
The wrong profile
- You want to keep your TV for ten years with guaranteed updates
- You mainly watch Prime Video in HDR10+
- You have three HDMI 2.1 devices to connect
- Power consumption is a priority
Against the competition, at a similar price
| Model | Technology | Public price | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomson 55MG7C15 | QD Mini LED 144 Hz, Google TV | 599,99 € | The best equipped for sound thanks to its subwoofer |
| TCL 55P89L | QD Mini LED 144 Hz, Google TV | 649,99 € | The same spirit, with a solid manufacturer |
| Samsung TU55M74H | Mini LED, Tizen | 649,99 € | 7 years of Tizen updates, but 50 Hz and no Dolby Vision |
| TCL 55C6K | QD Mini LED, Google TV | 699,99 € | Often a very good price for members |
| Hisense 55A7S | QLED 4K 120 Hz | 749,99 € | Simpler, but VIDAA software support for up to 8 years |
| Hisense 55U7SE | Mini LED 144 Hz, VIDAA | 899,99 € | Dolby Vision and HDR10+, 40 W sound, 4 HDMI 2.1 |
Nimestore list prices as of 15/10/2026; the product page is the reference, and Nimesclub members often get a reduced price.
The other Thomson ranges you may come across
Elsewhere, you will still see Thomson models from the 2024 and 2025 ranges: the MiniLED MG7C15 in other sizes (43, 50, 65 and 75 inches; the 43-inch is presented as the smallest Mini LED in Europe), and QLED Pro 144 Hz with a swivelling central stand, a 100-inch QLED (100QG7S14) and entry-level UHD, Full HD and HD models, all on Google TV. The same points apply: good products, uncertain software support.
Decoding a Thomson model number
Example: 55MG7C15. This decoding is inferred from the model numbers; the brand has not published it.
- 55 : the screen size in inches.
- M : the technology (M = Mini LED, Q = QLED, U = UHD LED, F = Full HD, H = HD).
- G : Google TV.
- 7 : the level within the range (from 2 to 7).
- C15 : the chassis and year code (15 roughly corresponds to 2025, 14 to 2024).
For all licensed brands, go back to the other brands section, and to understand the technology fully, read our article on Mini LED and QLED.
Frequently asked questions
Has Thomson gone bankrupt?
No, the Thomson brand still exists and belongs to the Established group. It is its European licensee for TVs, the Austrian company StreamView, that filed for insolvency in Vienna at the end of April 2026. No new TV partner had been announced by mid-October 2026.
Will my Thomson TV still receive updates?
Nobody can guarantee it today. Apps from the Google Play Store should in principle continue to update automatically, but system and security updates depend on the manufacturer, and therefore on Thomson's future partner.
Who provides the warranty for a Thomson TV bought from Nimestore?
In Belgium, the 2-year statutory guarantee is owed by the seller. If a fault occurs during this period, come back to the store: it is up to us to find the solution. Established has also announced its intention to maintain after-sales service.
Is the Thomson 55MG7C15 a 2026 model?
No. The MiniLED MG7C15 range launched in Europe in October 2025. Some retailers list it as ‘2026', but there will be no new Thomson range this year.
Is the 55MG7C15 good for the PS5?
Largely, yes: native 144 Hz and two HDMI 2.1 ports. If you connect a PS5 and an Xbox as well as an eARC soundbar, the two HDMI 2.1 ports will be tight. VRR and ALLM features should be checked on the model.
Come and compare the screens in person
At our Temploux shop, we switch on TVs side by side with your content. Or ask our expert salesperson online, right now.
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