Samsung Electronics announced today that it has formed an exclusive global partnership with Fender, one of the most iconic and influential guitar brands in the world. Together, the two companies will introduce the first-ever television edition of Fender Play, set to debut on Samsung TVs in 2026. This collaboration marks a significant step in expanding music education into the home entertainment space, blending Samsung’s leadership in display technology with Fender’s legacy of musical innovation and instruction.
For many years, Fender Play has been a popular online platform offering structured lessons for guitar, bass, and ukulele. By bringing Fender Play directly to televisions, Samsung aims to transform the largest and most central screen in the home into an accessible learning hub for aspiring musicians of all ages. The partnership reflects a growing trend toward integrating educational tools into everyday technology, making learning more intuitive, convenient, and engaging.
Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics, emphasized the motivation behind the collaboration. “With video-based lessons on Samsung TVs, learning an instrument fits naturally into daily life and helps players reach goals faster. By bringing Fender Play to TVs for the first time, Samsung is turning the largest screen at home into a place to learn and play together.” Lee pointed out that this partnership aligns with Samsung’s broader commitment to enhancing how people use their TVs—not just for passive entertainment, but as active learning and creative spaces.
A Comprehensive Learning Experience on the Big Screen
The new TV edition of Fender Play will offer a breadth of learning paths designed to support musicians at every level. Whether someone is picking up an instrument for the first time or returning to build more advanced skills, Fender Play provides structured guidance that users can follow at their own pace.
Learners can choose between four instrument pathways: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, and ukulele. Each pathway is organized into clear levels, with step-by-step lessons focused on developing fundamental techniques, understanding musical structure, and learning full songs. Fender Play is known for its song-first approach—helping players stay motivated by learning music they actually enjoy. With the TV expansion, this approach becomes even more immersive, as learners see instructors, finger positions, and music cues on a larger, more vivid display.
One of the standout features within the Samsung TV experience will be Jam Mode, which allows players to select from various musical backdrops and accompany curated tracks across different genres. This turns the TV into a virtual stage, giving learners the feeling of playing in a band or live setting. By combining instructional content with interactive performance opportunities, Fender Play on Samsung TVs aims to create a more dynamic and emotionally engaging experience than learning through mobile devices alone.
Showcased at CES 2026
The partnership made its public debut at CES 2026, where Samsung provided a live preview of the Fender Play TV interface. Attendees were given hands-on demonstrations illustrating how intuitive and immersive the experience can be. The preview showcased features such as real-time guidance, high-quality audio, and seamless navigation through lesson menus—all optimized for a television environment.
The CES demonstration also highlighted Samsung’s strengths in the TV market. For two decades, Samsung has been the global leader in television sales, known for exceptional display clarity, sound performance, and device reliability. These attributes play a crucial role in transforming music education through a TV platform. Clear visuals are essential for learning proper hand positioning and technique, while rich, accurately balanced sound enhances the experience of playing along to lessons and jam tracks.
By integrating Fender Play into this ecosystem, Samsung is extending its product capabilities beyond traditional entertainment. The company aims to elevate the role of the TV, making it a versatile tool for learning, performing, and cultivating new hobbies.
Fender’s Mission to Inspire and Educate
Fender, founded in 1946, has a long-standing mission to support musicians of all skill levels. The brand is responsible for some of the most legendary instruments in music history, including the Stratocaster, Telecaster, and Precision Bass. Fender Play, launched in 2017, has carried this legacy into the digital era by bringing accessible music education to millions of players worldwide.
Cliff Kim, VP of Growth Strategy for Digital Products at Fender and President of the Fender Play Foundation, expressed excitement about reaching new learners through the TV format. “We are thrilled to bring Fender Play’s immersive learning experience to Samsung TV users, helping guitar enthusiasts take their skills to the next level,” he said. “Our mission has always been to educate and inspire players globally, and this partnership gives music lovers the opportunity to learn, practice and play with Fender Play’s high-quality, interactive lessons directly on their Samsung TV.”
Kim emphasized that the TV-based platform will provide a more comfortable learning environment for many users. Unlike mobile or desktop learning, the TV creates a studio-like space where players can stand, move, and engage physically with their instrument in a natural way. This approach mirrors the experience of traditional music lessons while retaining the flexibility and personalization of digital instruction.
Transforming the Home Into a Creative Space
By bringing Fender Play directly to Samsung TVs, both companies are imagining a future where home entertainment and personal development blend seamlessly. Instead of watching TV passively, users can turn their living rooms into interactive learning spaces. The concept aligns with a larger shift in consumer behavior, where people increasingly look for ways to combine technology with self-improvement, creativity, and lifestyle enrichment.
For families, the TV experience offers an opportunity to learn music together. Instead of each person practicing on separate devices, the large screen encourages group engagement and shared progress. The visually rich interface makes it easier for multiple people to watch the lesson simultaneously, whether they are practicing or simply observing.
A Vision for the Future of Music Education at Home
The collaboration between Samsung and Fender is more than a product launch—it represents the merging of two influential industries: technology and music. As digital learning becomes more prevalent, platforms that combine high-quality instruction with the comfort of home are expected to grow. By pioneering the first TV-based version of Fender Play, Samsung is positioning its televisions as powerful tools that serve not just as entertainment hubs but also as gateways to creativity and personal growth.
With Samsung’s advanced TV technology and Fender’s deep expertise in music education, the 2026 release will introduce an entirely new way to learn instruments. It blends the convenience of digital lessons with the engagement of a large-screen experience, creating a modern evolution in the way people develop musical skills.
Source Link:https://news.samsung.com/
