On Monday, February 23, 2026, Panasonic officially announced that it will stop manufacturing its own televisions, marking the end of nearly 75 years of in-house TV production.
The company is entering into a massive strategic partnership with Chinese electronics giant Skyworth, which will take over the manufacturing, sales, and marketing of Panasonic-branded TVs globally.
The Details of the Exit
The transition is being framed as a “passing of the baton” to ensure the brand remains competitive in a market dominated by low-margin Chinese and South Korean rivals.
- The Handover Date: The official transition of operations will occur on April 1, 2026.
- Regional Scope: The deal initially covers Europe and North America, with other regions expected to follow a “region-by-region” rollout throughout the year.
- Panasonic’s Remaining Role: Panasonic is not selling the brand entirely. It will retain its trademark rights and full joint development control over high-end OLED models to ensure they meet the company’s “reference” standards for picture and sound.
- After-Sales Support: Panasonic has committed to providing support for all TVs sold both before and after the April transition.
Why Is Panasonic Halting Production?
The move follows a period of “drastic measures” aimed at fixing the company’s loss-making consumer divisions.
- Hyper-Competition: Panasonic has struggled to match the scale and price points of firms like Samsung, LG, and TCL, particularly in the mid-range and entry-level segments.
- Global Layoffs: Alongside the TV announcement, Panasonic confirmed it will lay off 12,000 employees worldwide as it pivots toward more profitable areas like EV batteries, home automation, and energy solutions.
- The “India” Precedent: In mid-2025, Panasonic had already shut down its refrigerator and washing machine production lines in India (Jhajjar factory), signaling an earlier retreat from low-margin appliances.
The “End of an Era” for Japan
Panasonic was the last major Japanese brand still manufacturing its own television hardware. Its exit mirrors a broader industrial shift:
| Brand | Current Status (as of Feb 2026) |
| Panasonic | Outsourced to Skyworth (announced Feb 23, 2026). |
| Sony | Ceded control to TCL earlier in 2026 (Sony sold 51% stake). |
| Toshiba | Sold its TV business to Hisense in 2017. |
| Sharp | Acquired by Foxconn in 2016. |
| Pioneer | Sold TV business to TCL in 2018. |
The 2026 Lineup Surprise
At the same launch event, Panasonic unveiled a single new OLED model, the Z86C (a mid-range set), but surprised fans by not updating its flagship Z95B. Instead, the company plans to “carry over” its 2025 flagships into the new year, focusing its R&D on “Tandem WOLED” prototypes that may be released under the Skyworth partnership later this year.
