Sony announced on December 27, 2007 that the company will cease production of RPTVs (Rear-Projection Televisions) and focus its resources on LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technologies instead.

 

Starting in the end of February 2008, Sony will terminate manufacturing operations at its three RPTV plants worldwide. In October 2007, Sony adjusted its global RPTV sales target downward by 43% to 400,000 units for the fiscal year ending in March 2008, substantially lower than 1.1 million units in the previous fiscal year.

 

Sony's exit from RPTV business marks the withdrawal of the last major maker from the dwindling market. Both Seiko Epson and Hitachi have terminated RPTV production prior to Sony's announcement.