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# Linux on TV? Plasma Bigscreen Gets Some Much-Needed TLC
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/plasma-bigscreen-comeback/
- Published: 2025-07-16T09:05:50.000Z
- Updated: 2025-07-16T09:05:50.000Z
- Description: Plasma Bigscreen is making a comeback!
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: Development Updates, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

[Plasma Bigscreen](https://plasma-bigscreen.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) is KDE's open source TV ecosystem that once had a lot of potential but slowly fell off the radar.

Originally launched in March 2020, **it aimed to turn regular television sets into smart, Linux-powered devices** with a clean, remote-friendly interface. But over time, development slowed, and it quietly slipped out of most Linux distribution repositories. 

Thankfully, it is making a much-needed comeback thanks to the work of [Plasma Mobile](https://plasma-mobile.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) contributor [espidev](https://espi.dev/posts/2025/07/plasma-bigscreen/?ref=itsfoss.com) (*Devin Lin*).

## Plasma Bigscreen Returns: What to Expect?

![a photo that shows a big tv running the newly updated kde plasma bigscreen, the device is sat on a mantle, with two small external speakers beside it](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/07/plasma-bigscreen-homescreen.jpg)

**Source: espidev*

Working on this over a week, Devin has made some solid progress bringing Plasma Bigscreen back to life. He started small by cleaning up the repository, adding a `README` file, a REUSE license checker in the continuous integration system, and porting the QML library to work as a declarative plugin.

Next, he focused on the homescreen, **introducing a more modern and cleaner design with a simplified layout that reduces visual clutter**. He removed panel backgrounds and shadows where possible, added tooltips for the indicators, and added an "*expanded clock*" view that appears when users are at the top of the application categories. 

The clock automatically shrinks when users scroll down.

![the search menu on plasma bigscreen with the search term "a", it is showing applications like angelfish, ark, alligator, audacity, akregator, aura browser, and armcord](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/07/plasma-bigscreen-search-menu.jpg)

**Source: espidev*

Following that, he **improved the search menu** by redesigning the interface to be cleaner and more user-friendly. It is now powered by [KRunner](https://userbase.kde.org/Plasma/Krunner?ref=itsfoss.com), allowing users to quickly find and launch apps or settings, making navigation faster and easier.

**Source: espidev*

Next, he turned his attention towards the settings menu, where work was done to simplify navigation by introducing a sidebar with a two-pane layout. Settings are now grouped into clear sections, making it easier for users to find and change options quickly.

**Controller support was also improved**, with better navigation and button mapping for gamepads (*tested on an Xbox controller*), making it easier to use without a keyboard or mouse.

![vacuumtube running on plasma bigscreen, on the same tv as before](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/07/plasma-bigscreen-youtube-app.jpg)

**Source: espidev*

Running applications downloaded from Flathub is possible too. Devin tested apps like [VacuumTube](https://flathub.org/apps/rocks.shy.VacuumTube?ref=itsfoss.com), [Kodi](https://itsfoss.com/best-kodi-add-ons/), [SuperTuxKart](https://flathub.org/apps/net.supertuxkart.SuperTuxKart?ref=itsfoss.com), [Jellyfin](https://itsfoss.com/jellyfin-raspberry-pi/), and [SuperTux](https://flathub.org/apps/org.supertuxproject.SuperTux?ref=itsfoss.com). While this was **a mixed experience**, he mentions that some apps worked well, but others need more work to run smoothly on Plasma Bigscreen.

Looking ahead, there are still some unresolved issues to tackle, including improving TV remote support and polishing the app design. The main goal is **to get Plasma Bigscreen ready for inclusion in the Plasma 6.5 release cycle**.

If you want to see these improvements firsthand, then you’ll need to build Plasma Bigscreen manually from the [source code](https://invent.kde.org/plasma/plasma-bigscreen?ref=itsfoss.com).

[Plasma Bigscreen (source code)](https://invent.kde.org/plasma/plasma-bigscreen?ref=itsfoss.com)

**Via:** [OMG! Ubuntu](https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2025/07/plasma-bigscreen-revival-kde-tv?ref=itsfoss.com)