Walmart switches Onn stick manufacturers to Skyworth to resolve stock shortages

Walmart is aggressively shoring up its hardware supply chain to capture the low-end streaming market vacated by Google’s decision to sunset affordable Chromecasts. By tapping Skyworth, which manages large-scale Google TV production for global brands, Walmart gains the manufacturing capacity needed to compete with Roku and Amazon on price and availability. This transition suggests Walmart views its Onn hardware not just as a retail product, but as a critical gateway for its expanding advertising and retail media ecosystem. If successful, this shift could cement Walmart’s position as the primary high-volume distributor of Google TV hardware in North America. Watch for potential price adjustments on the new Skyworth-built units to reflect current RAM market volatility.

The transition to Skyworth comes as Walmart’s private-label electronics strategy faces external supply pressures. Per Android Police in June 2026, the retail giant recently hiked prices for its Onn Google TV players, with the entry-level HD model increasing from a $15 debut price to approximately $30. These price fluctuations are largely attributed to a global shortage and rising costs of DRAM and NAND flash memory components, which have also impacted inventory levels for high-demand models like the Onn 4K Pro.

Skyworth’s role in the global ecosystem is expanding rapidly as legacy brands exit direct manufacturing. Per FlatpanelsHD in February 2026, Skyworth recently entered a strategic partnership with Panasonic to handle the production, sales, and marketing of Panasonic-branded TVs in North America and Europe, starting April 2026. This mirrors a January 2026 deal where TCL took over similar responsibilities for Sony’s TV business. As the third-largest OLED manufacturer globally, Skyworth provides Walmart with a more robust logistical infrastructure compared to smaller OEMs.

Walmart’s hardware push is also intrinsically linked to its $2.3 billion acquisition of Vizio, which closed in 2024. While the Onn lineup currently relies on Google TV, Omdia reported in October 2025 that Walmart plans to eventually consolidate its television hardware under Vizio’s CastOS. Analysts project this platform consolidation could allow Walmart to leapfrog competitors like Roku in North American shipment share by 2029, leveraging its retail data and massive physical footprint to drive advertising revenue.