End of Japanese Era: Panasonic Also to Stop TV Production

In an another major shift in the global television industry, Panasonic has announced that it will stop manufacturing its own television sets. Instead, Chinese electronics maker Skyworth will take over manufacturing, marketing, and sales of Panasonic-branded TVs.

The announcement was made during a launch event reported by FlatpanelsHD, marking what many see as the effective end of Panasonic’s decades-long role as a TV hardware manufacturer.

Who is Skyworth

Skyworth is a Shenzhen, China based company and it describes itself as “a top three global provider of the Android TV platform.” According to research firm Omdia, the company ranked among the top five TV brands globally by sales revenue in Q1 2025, though it has struggled to consistently hold that position.

Under the new agreement, Skyworth will lead sales, marketing, and logistics across the region, Panasonic will provide expertise and quality assurance, the companies will jointly develop high end OLED models.Panasonic will continue supporting TVs sold up to March 2026, as well as new models released from April onward. Skyworth-manufactured Panasonic TVs will be sold in both the US and Europe, with the companies targeting double-digit market share in Europe.

End of Plasma TV

When plasma TVs dominated living rooms, Panasonic was king. In 2010, the company controlled 40.7% of the plasma panel market, outperforming rivals Samsung Electronics (33.7%) and LG Electronics (23.2%).

But by March 2014, Panasonic exited the plasma TV business entirely, citing growing consumer demand for LCD screens and economic aftershocks from the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers. Reports at the time indicated that Panasonic had not turned a profit on its plasma TVs for years.

Panasonic fully exited the US TV market in 2016 and by 2021 outsourced all TV production to an undisclosed partner. But in 2024 it re entered the US market with OLED and Mini LED TVs designed in Japan. Surprisingly in February 2025 company President Yuki Kusumi said Panasonic was prepared to sell its TV business if necessary.

Sony Also Steps Back

Earlier this year, Tokyo-based Sony announced it would sell a 51% stake in its home entertainment division including its TV business to Chinese manufacturer TCL.

Now, Panasonic’s shift means there is now virtually no large-scale TV production happening in Japan.

Other Japanese electronics giants including Sharp Corporation, Toshiba, Hitachi, and Pioneer Corporation have already exited or drastically reduced their TV manufacturing operations.

Today, companies from South Korea and China control the vast majority of global TV production and panel supply chains.