Sony is close to reaching a $1bn deal with TCL for its TV business, sources say

Sony Bravia 5 4K TV
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi? / Netflix, Life On Our Planet)

Sony and TCL are close to reaching a deal for the latter to buy the former’s TV division. The deal is said to be worth $1 billion, Bloomberg reports.

Sony and TCL announced the deal in January. At the time, Sony said that the announcement “reflects an initial memorandum of understanding” and that “further details are still under discussion”.

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This is the first inkling we have had of how much the deal could be worth. The $1 billion figure comes from “people familiar with the matter” who didn’t want to be named because of the sensitive nature of the information.

Talks are said to be “at an advanced stage” but no final decisions have yet been made.

The deal sets up a joint venture for Sony’s home entertainment division, including its Bravia TV brand. It hands 51 per cent of the venture to TCL, with Sony retaining the remaining 49 per cent.

Under the venture, TVs will still be produced carrying the Sony and TCL names, but will use TCL’s screen technology. It is planned to take effect from April 2027.

Joe Svetlik

Joe has been writing about tech for 20 years, first on staff at T3 magazine, then in a freelance capacity for Stuff, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine (now defunct), Men's Health, GQ, The Mirror, Trusted Reviews, TechRadar and many more. His specialities include all things mobile, headphones and speakers that he can't justifying spending money on.

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