Few display manufacturers have shown such consistent growth in recent years as TCL. The Chinese electronics group is already the world’s second-largest TV producer – and could overtake Samsung as early as 2026. But TCL is no longer just a TV brand: with strong display component capabilities, strategic acquisitions and new alliances like the joint venture with Sony, the company is positioning itself as a global technology powerhouse - including in digital signage.
Sony: TCL Sets Sights on Global Market Leadership
TCL sells its TVs under the TCL brand worldwide, and in the US also under RCA and selected Roku-branded product lines. The company additionally operates a joint venture with Ikea, supplying consumer electronics for the furniture group – expanding the brand beyond traditional retail channels.
Behind the scenes, TCL’s display subsidiary TCL CSOT has become one of the world’s most important panel manufacturers besides fellow Chinese manufacturer BoE. With 11 panel production lines and 5 module bases across China and India, CSOT produces panels for consumer and professional display solutions at massive scale.
A decisive step came in 2020, when TCL acquired Samsung Display’s assets in Suzhou, including a Gen 8.5 fab and a co-located LCD module factory. The move significantly boosted TCL’s manufacturing capacity and secured advanced LCD production know-how that had long been dominated by Korean display makers.
TCL + Sony: A New Alliance with Industry Impact
Yesterday TCL announced a new joint venture with Sony for April 2027, with TCL holding 51% and Sony 49%. While full details are still to be disclosed, the partnership merges two distinct industry strengths:
- TCL: high-volume manufacturing, competitive cost structures, and large-scale display technology
- Sony: premium brand positioning, image processing expertise, and strong roots in the ProAV ecosystem
This alliance could reshape competitive dynamics in the professional display market – enabling Chinese brand TCL access to the premium B2B segment where Sony has long been established.
Digital Signage: TCL Pushes Deeper into the Pro Segment
In digital signage, TCL is best known through its Moka professional display brand. The range includes models up to 107 inches, including screens featuring integrated BrightSign SoC – a clear signal that TCL wants to be part of the established professional signage ecosystem.
For long Chinese manufacturers like BoE, TCL or Hisense have struggled with market access in Western ProAV. With the joint TCL-Sony operations, the Japanese brand benefits from TCL’s vertically integrated display production, global manufacturing footprint, and an increasingly professionalized product lineup.
Rising consolidation in the LCD panel industry further strengthens TCL’s positioning, reducing the number of players capable of competing at scale. With USD 20.9 billion in revenue in 2024 and partial state ownership, TCL also benefits from long-term investment stability – an advantage many Western competitors increasingly lack.
Outlook: TCL Could Reshape the Industry
Whether in consumer electronics or professional displays, TCL has shifted from low-cost challenger to strategic industry heavyweight. Its manufacturing capacity, global partnerships, and rapid expansion in the TV business make it plausible that TCL could become the world’s number one display manufacturer within the next few years.
For the digital signage market, this means: stronger competition – and a new technology giant entering the market.
