Sony issued a statement indicating that it does not have plans to pull out of the PDP TV (Plasma Display Panel Television) market by Spring 2005, but emphasized that it would in fact shift more resources toward LCD TV (Liquid Crystal Display Television) and RPTV (Rear Projection Television). The withdrawal was incorrectly attributed to an announcement by Sony in an earlier Asia Express; rather, the intention to exit the PDP TV business by Spring 2005 was voiced by the Japanese media.

 

Sony has stated, however, that a withdrawal from the PDP TV business was a long-term possibility. A lack of vertical integration has hindered the company's ability to improve profits in the increasingly price competitive PDP TV market. Prices have been falling by 20% to 30% per year, and Sony's television division incurred a loss of 6.1 billion Yen (US$58.7 million; US$1 = 103.9 Japanese Yen) in the third quarter of 2004.