Panasonic Exits TV Manufacturing: Skyworth Takes Over
Panasonic, once a leader in plasma TVs, announces it will no longer make its own television sets. Chinese brand Skyworth will now manufacture, market, and sell Panasonic-branded TVs.
Panasonic, once revered for its plasma TVs, is giving up on making its own TV sets. Today, the company announced that Chinese company Skyworth will take over manufacturing, marketing, and selling Panasonic-branded TVs.
Skyworth is a Shenzhen-headquartered TV brand that claims to be "a top three global provider of the Android TV platform." In July, research firm Omdia reported that Skyworth was one of the top-five TV brands by sales revenue in Q1 2025, though the company hasn't been able to maintain that position regularly.
The announcement came during a "launch event," as FlatpanelsHD reported. A Panasonic representative reportedly said during the event:
"Panasonic will no longer manufacture its own TVs. Instead, we are collaborating with Skyworth to have them handle the manufacturing, marketing, and sales of Panasonic-branded TVs going forward."
The move marks a significant shift for Panasonic, which was once a dominant force in the TV market, particularly with its highly-acclaimed plasma displays. However, as the industry has increasingly shifted towards LED and OLED technologies, Panasonic has struggled to maintain its competitive edge.
By partnering with Skyworth, Panasonic hopes to leverage the Chinese brand's manufacturing expertise and market reach to continue offering Panasonic-branded TVs to consumers around the world. This strategic move will allow Panasonic to focus on its other core business areas, such as appliances, automotive electronics, and energy solutions, while still maintaining a presence in the TV market.
The collaboration with Skyworth also aligns with Panasonic's broader shift towards smart home and IoT technologies, as the Chinese brand's expertise in Android TV platform integration could help enhance the Panasonic TV experience for consumers.
Overall, this announcement marks the end of an era for Panasonic as a TV manufacturer, but the company remains committed to maintaining its brand presence in the global television market through this strategic partnership with Skyworth.
Source: Ars Technica
