Sony and TCL have signed a memorandum of understanding to form a new company to manufacture home entertainment products. The new company will be 51% owned by TCL with the remaining 49% owned by Sony. The TV and audio products to be produced will continue to use the Sony and Bravia branding.
The name of the new company to be formed has not been announced, with Sony and TCL continuing discussions towards executing a definitive binding agreement by the end of March 2026. Subject to the execution of the definitive agreement and relevant regulatory approvals and other conditions, the new company is expected to commence operations in April 2027.
The new company will leverage Sony's high-quality picture and audio technology while leveraging TCL's advanced display technology, global scale, industrial footprint, cost efficiency and supply chain strength.
This will end the era of Sony manufacturing its own audio-visual equipment since the first TR-55 radio was sold in 1955. Last year, Sony also stopped manufacturing its own smartphones, with all Xperia devices manufactured by OEMs. It started badly with the first line of Xperia 1 VIII facing various issues when received by early buyers.
