Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
09-04-24 | 08:23 AM
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Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
Panasonic has announced today that it is returning to the US market after a 10-year hiatus, initially with one miniLED LCD and two OLED ranges, including the flagship Z95A featuring MLA OLED and Fire TV.
In a pre-briefing attended by FlatpanelsHD, Panasonic described it as "once in a decade news", an apt characterization considering that Panasonic's TV division withdrew from the US in March 2014 due to the company's exit from the plasma TV market.
During the 10-year hiatus, Panasonic continued to compete in Europe and other regions with some of the best OLED TVs on the market, including models with MLA OLED technology. However, Panasonic has lost significant ground in the entry-level and mid-range TV segments.
In a pre-briefing attended by FlatpanelsHD, Panasonic described it as "once in a decade news", an apt characterization considering that Panasonic's TV division withdrew from the US in March 2014 due to the company's exit from the plasma TV market.
During the 10-year hiatus, Panasonic continued to compete in Europe and other regions with some of the best OLED TVs on the market, including models with MLA OLED technology. However, Panasonic has lost significant ground in the entry-level and mid-range TV segments.
The return to the US was speculated, as Panasonic announced earlier this year that it would abandon its in-house TV platform, MyHomeScreen, in favor of Amazon's Fire TV platform.
The switch to Fire TV means that Panasonic can offer access to almost all relevant streaming apps in the US from day one.
Starting today, Panasonic will roll out its flagship Z95A MLA OLED (65" only), the upper mid-range Z85A OLED (55-65"), and the miniLED LCD W95A (55-85") in the US. All three models were designed and developed in Japan by Panasonic, and tuned by Company 3 in Hollywood.
The switch to Fire TV means that Panasonic can offer access to almost all relevant streaming apps in the US from day one.
Starting today, Panasonic will roll out its flagship Z95A MLA OLED (65" only), the upper mid-range Z85A OLED (55-65"), and the miniLED LCD W95A (55-85") in the US. All three models were designed and developed in Japan by Panasonic, and tuned by Company 3 in Hollywood.
(source: FlatPanelsHD.com)
09-05-24 | 08:57 PM
#3
DVD Talk Hero
09-06-24 | 11:50 AM
#4
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
Cool, if they make a 70"+ set, I'm in!
09-06-24 | 06:50 PM
#5
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
A friend I sent those links to said that the middle tier one - the 65" incher is on par with the LG C4 for way more money and it doesn't even have MLA.
09-07-24 | 02:29 AM
#6
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
If he's saying the 65" Z85 is comparable to the LG C4, then they must be competitively priced, because I only see a $100 difference between the two on Amazon.
09-07-24 | 02:50 PM
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
09-09-24 | 08:13 AM
#8
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
Bummer - NO 85" or greater option with OLED. Guess Ill have to stick out the 77" longer. I know there are a few other options like the 83" OLEDs but thats not enough of an upgrade in size. Still, nice to see Panny back in the TV game here. I've always have/had good luck withe their TVs and disc players. More choice is good for us. 
09-10-24 | 11:15 PM
#9
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
Does Panny make their own OLED panels? I know Sony uses LG to make their OLED panels.
09-11-24 | 06:58 PM
#10
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MisterMike (09-12-24)
09-11-24 | 10:17 PM
#11
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
How come no one can catchup with LG in this technology?
09-12-24 | 04:12 AM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
I paid less than half ($679) for my 65" LG 5 years ago than Panasonic is asking for their mid tier TV. They need to have more competitively priced models in the US than what they're offering.
09-14-24 | 12:55 PM
#13
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
09-19-24 | 05:04 AM
#14
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
I wonder why they left and then changed their mind and decided to come back?
It it has Dolby Atmos you don't need a soundbar?
I have a 82" Samsung from 2019 but someday would like a 100" or 98" but the ones that are out now still have flaws with picture quality.
It it has Dolby Atmos you don't need a soundbar?
I have a 82" Samsung from 2019 but someday would like a 100" or 98" but the ones that are out now still have flaws with picture quality.
09-20-24 | 03:55 PM
#15
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
I would love one of these and I still have my Panny Plasma but Hisense rocks and the price point is right for me there. Granted, I'm not in the market for one right now either way.
10-27-24 | 05:31 PM
#16
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
My LG C2 is not that old, so I won't need to upgrade anytime soon. However, I'm glad to see Panasonic back. Hopefully they'll be around by the time I have to upgrade.
10-29-24 | 09:51 PM
#17
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
Mini LED review. OLED review due next.
06-14-25 | 11:19 AM
#18
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
Maybe Amazon and some select retailers like Beach Camera carry Panasonic OLED TVs since they are not available at Best Buy.
Maybe since most have Fire TV so that limits who can sell them?
I am tempted to get the Z85 55" for the bedroom and two HDMI ports is ok there but not in the family room.
I have a 2016 Sony XBR-43X830C 43-Class 4K Smart LED TV and the picture is ok but kind of soft compared to Samsung and LG and maybe when it comes to streaming that technology is outdated.
Maybe since most have Fire TV so that limits who can sell them?
I am tempted to get the Z85 55" for the bedroom and two HDMI ports is ok there but not in the family room.
I have a 2016 Sony XBR-43X830C 43-Class 4K Smart LED TV and the picture is ok but kind of soft compared to Samsung and LG and maybe when it comes to streaming that technology is outdated.
Last edited by JeffTheAlpaca; 06-14-25 at 11:25 AM.
06-14-25 | 11:20 AM
#19
DVD Talk Hero
07-21-25 | 12:46 PM
#20
New Member
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
Wow, Panasonic coming back to the US TV market is a big deal. I still remember how good their plasma TVs were — especially the VT series. Those things had insane black levels back in the day.
If their OLED panels are anything close to what they’ve been selling in Europe and Japan, this could shake up the competition here. Wonder how they’ll price them compared to LG and Sony?
Anyone know if they’re using LG panels or making their own?
If their OLED panels are anything close to what they’ve been selling in Europe and Japan, this could shake up the competition here. Wonder how they’ll price them compared to LG and Sony?
Anyone know if they’re using LG panels or making their own?
10-07-25 | 12:54 PM
#21
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
I W70 series 55" TV is $317 at Amazon with the big Prime deal but that is not OLED
10-10-25 | 10:27 AM
#22
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
Damn, bought a 55" recently. If I waited I'd jump on this Panny. Oh well
10-11-25 | 11:18 AM
#23
10-11-25 | 11:55 AM
#24
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Panasonic re-enters US market with OLED TVs, 10 years after plasma exit
10-11-25 | 03:52 PM
#25
