The NVIDIA Shield TV has become a rare legend in the consumer electronics world. Originally launched in 2015, the streaming device continues to receive long-term support that few products can match. In a recent interview with Ars Technica in late January 2026, Andrew Bell, Vice President of Hardware Engineering at NVIDIA, reaffirmed that the company has no plans to abandon Shield TV anytime soon.
Bell even cited a long-standing remark from NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, who once stated that the company intends to support Shield TV for as long as they are alive. This statement continues to reflect NVIDIA’s internal mindset regarding the product.
Andrew Bell also shared the origins of the Shield project in a relaxed and candid manner. According to him, Shield began as a passion project driven by NVIDIA employees who wanted a powerful, high-quality streaming device that was not tied to Apple’s ecosystem. After an early prototype was created, Jensen Huang approved the idea and pushed it into full production. This decision eventually led Shield TV to become one of the most powerful Android TV devices on the market, despite the latest hardware revision launching back in 2019.
Regarding the question many fans keep asking, when will a new model arrive, Bell admitted that internal discussions about a next-generation Shield TV are ongoing. He personally wants to build a new version and confirmed that NVIDIA labs are still experimenting with fresh ideas related to the Shield platform. While there is no confirmed release window, Bell emphasized that the door for a new Shield TV remains open if the team finds a concept exciting enough to move forward.
If new hardware does become a reality, Bell revealed that modern video technologies would be a top priority. These include AV1 decoding, HDR10+, enhanced Dolby Vision support, and HDMI 2.1 compatibility to enable 4K at 120Hz, a feature many fans have been requesting for years. He also expressed interest in modernizing the remote control, particularly addressing the oversized Netflix button that has long divided users.
In the meantime, NVIDIA continues to manufacture and sell the current Shield TV models. Weekly sales figures remain surprisingly strong, indicating sustained demand for a reliable streaming device with consistent software updates. The Shield TV Pro is currently priced at USD 199, which many users consider a solid investment given its unusually long support lifecycle compared to modern flagship smartphones.
This confirmation should reassure both long-time and current Shield TV owners that their devices will not become obsolete anytime soon. For those debating whether to buy now or wait for a future model, NVIDIA’s message is clear: the company remains fully committed to supporting Shield TV software for the long haul.
Source: 9to5Google
