| | FEBRUARY 20268IN FOCUSSony Group Corp. is shifting control of its home entertainment division, which features its leading Bravia television brand, to Chinese electronics firm TCL Electronics Holdings Ltd., as the Japanese corporation hastens its exit from consumer hardware.The creator of PlayStation will sell a 51 percent share in its home entertainment division to TCL. The action signifies a significant change in Sony's enduring television sector.Sony, located in Tokyo, has been focusing more on expanding its intellectual property portfolio in areas like anime, live-action films, music, and sports broadcasting, while reducing its involvement in consumer electronics.Throughout the years, the company has ceased or closed operations in personal computers, tablets, portable media players, and lower-end television segments.The report states that Sony and TCL intend to create a joint venture set to commence operations in April 2027. The operation will produce televisions featuring the Sony and Bravia brands, utilizing TCL's display technology.TCL, among the oldest and largest electronics conglomerates in China, has established itself as a significant budget television brand in the US and has previously licensed heritage brands like BlackBerry and Alcatel for mobile devices.Japanese TV manufacturers have consistently fallen behind their competitors from China and South Korea. Firms like Toshiba Corp., Hitachi Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Corp., and Pioneer have completely left the TV sector, whereas companies like Panasonic Holdings Corp. and Sharp Corp. have downplayed this segment in their growth plans.Sony Corporation, established in Japan in 1946 by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita, is a worldwide leader in electronics, entertainment (music, films), and gaming (PlayStation), recognized for its innovation with items such as the Walkman, Bravia televisions, and image sensors, functioning in various sectors ranging from consumer technology to financial services. JAPAN'S SONY EXITS TV MANUFACTURING CONTROL
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