Panasonic, the former plasma king, will no longer make its own TVs

In a significant shift from its longstanding history, Panasonic has announced it will cease the production of its own television sets. The company has entered into a partnership with the Chinese firm Skyworth, which will now handle the manufacturing, marketing, and sales of Panasonic-branded TVs. Skyworth, a Shenzhen-based electronics manufacturer, claims to be among the top three global providers of the Android TV platform. Recent reports from research firm Omdia highlighted that Skyworth ranked as one of the top five TV brands in terms of sales revenue for the first quarter of 2025, although maintaining that position has proven challenging. At a recent launch event, a Panasonic spokesperson stated that under the new agreement, Skyworth will oversee sales, marketing, and logistics in various regions. Meanwhile, Panasonic will lend its expertise and ensure quality standards to uphold its esteemed reputation in audiovisual technology, particularly for high-end OLED models. Furthermore, Panasonic has committed to supporting all TVs sold up until March 2026 and those released thereafter. Skyworth-manufactured Panasonic televisions are set to be available in both the United States and Europe, with the aim of capturing a double-digit market share in the latter. This transition marks a notable departure for Panasonic, which has been reassessing its television business for over a decade. Once the leader in plasma technology, Panasonic held a dominant 40.7% market share in plasma panels in 2010, surpassing competitors like Samsung and LG. However, the company exited the plasma TV market in March 2014, citing the rise of flat-screen LCDs and financial pressures stemming from the 2008 financial crisis, which severely impacted its profitability in this segment.