Panasonic and Japanese factories are ceasing the production of TV screens, shifting manufacturing to China.

Panasonic waives its own TV production

The company Panasonic, once known for its plasma models, announced that it is transferring the authority for manufacturing, marketing, and selling televisions under its brand to the Chinese firm Skyworth.

- What has changed?

- Skyworth (Shenzhen) takes over sales management, advertising, and logistics in the region.

- Panasonic remains a supplier of technical expertise and guarantees product quality to maintain its high audiovisual standards.

- Joint development

As part of the partnership, premium‑class OLED models are being developed, with Panasonic providing expertise and Skyworth handling production.

- Support for existing models

The company guarantees service and support for all Panasonic televisions sold before March 2026, as well as those that will be released after April. These models will be available in the United States and Europe.

Brief history of Panasonic’s television business
YearEvent2010Panasonic held 40.7 % of the plasma panel market (Samsung – 33.7 %, LG – 23.2 %).March 2014Production of plasma TVs was discontinued due to declining demand and low profitability.2016Stop of TV shipments to the United States.2021Full outsourcing of production to a third party (unspecified).2024Return to the U.S. market with OLED‑ and Mini‑LED televisions, fully designed and manufactured in Japan.February 2025Panasonic President Yuki Kusumi stated: “We are ready to sell our television business if necessary.”

Current state of the industry
- TV manufacturing in Japan has almost completely disappeared; major Japanese brands (Sharp, Toshiba, Hitachi, Pioneer) have also abandoned this line.

- Sony sold 51 % of its consumer electronics business, including TVs, to the Chinese conglomerate TCL from Huizhou this year.

- Today most global TV sales are controlled by South Korean and Chinese companies.

Thus, Panasonic has focused on handing over its television products to Skyworth while maintaining control over quality and technical aspects of development.