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Why the 2026 FIFA World Cup Will Spark a Major TV Market Rebound
The 2026 FIFA World Cup isn’t just rewriting the rules of football; it’s reshaping the global TV industry. With the tournament set to be the biggest in history, industry giants like BOE and TCL are already signaling a resurgence in the television panel market. If you’ve been tracking the panel price rollercoaster over the past few years, you’ll recognize the significance: for the first time in a while, there’s a real sense of momentum.
World Cup Effect Is Real and Bigger Than Ever
Let’s start with the numbers. The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams, a 60 percent jump in match volume compared to previous tournaments. It stretches over 40 days, with matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It’s not just a sports event; it’s a global content engine that demands screen time, literally. That translates into renewed interest in bigger, sharper, and smarter TVs.
Photograph by David Ramos / FIFA / Getty
BOE, in its latest investment briefing, paints a bullish picture. It expects demand for both IT and TV panels to climb, driven by upgrade cycles and AI features, but crucially, by the emotional and social pull of the World Cup. TCL Technology echoes the sentiment, pointing to the steady uptick in demand for large-size LCDs. As consumers prepare for the spectacle, downstream brands are already stockpiling inventory.
TV Panels Are at an Inflection Point
After months of flat or declining prices, the panel market is finally showing signs of life. Analysts forecast an inflection point in December 2025, when the combination of seasonal stocking, Spring Festival demand, and early World Cup excitement converges. According to authoritative sources, prices for 32″, 43″, 50″, and 55″ panels are stabilizing. Quotes from non-strategic customers have even ticked up by $1-2 per unit.
That might not sound like much, but in the razor-thin-margin panel business, it’s meaningful. It suggests pricing power is returning to manufacturers after a long stretch of oversupply and underwhelming consumer demand.
Why It’s Different This Time
Sports always spike demand, but 2026 hits different. For one, there’s a wider global audience. Two, the tech behind modern TVs like AI image upscaling, 4K/8K, Mini-LED, and OLED panels is finally reaching a level where consumers see clear upgrades from older sets. And third, the post-pandemic normalization of home entertainment habits makes big-screen upgrades feel like a justifiable splurge again.
BOE and TCL’s confidence isn’t just based on hype. Utilization rates are rising, and panel pricing, long in the dumps, is climbing back. TCL points out that despite increasing screen sizes, supply-side capacity has remained relatively stable. That creates a perfect storm: surging demand with constrained supply.
The Bottom Line
If you’re wondering whether the World Cup really has that kind of impact, consider this: for millions of fans, the matchday experience now starts with a panel purchase. And for the TV industry, the 2026 World Cup could be the biggest assist it’s seen in a decade.
This time, the beautiful game might just revive the flat panel.
In related news, TCL recently launched the A400 Pro QD Mini LED Art TV with a 4K 144Hz display.
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TCL Shocks Market by Taking Over Sony Bravia TVs
Sony Corporation has announced that it will spin off its home entertainment division and form a new joint venture with TCL Electronics. The partnership gives TCL a 51 percent majority stake, while Sony retains 49 percent. The new company will take control of global operations for Sony’s television and home audio business.
The companies confirmed the agreement through a signed memorandum of understanding. They plan to finalize binding terms by the end of March 2026. The joint venture is expected to begin operations in April 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.
The new entity will handle the entire value chain, including product development, manufacturing, sales, and customer service. Products from the venture will continue to use the Sony and Bravia brand names.
Sony will contribute its picture processing technology, audio expertise, and brand value. TCL will provide its display manufacturing capabilities, global supply chain, and cost-efficient operations. TCL’s recent growth in display technology and global market share positions it to take advantage of Sony’s premium image and distribution network.
Sony CEO Kimio Maki said the partnership aims to create new customer value through combined expertise. TCL Chairperson Du Juan said the deal will allow TCL to scale further into high-end markets and optimize its operations.
Sony has been gradually moving away from consumer hardware in favor of content businesses like anime, film, music, and gaming. The company previously exited the PC and tablet markets and stopped producing Blu-ray players.
This move ends Sony’s independent control of its TV business, which began in the 1960s. The joint venture gives TCL an opportunity to strengthen its position in premium global markets while maintaining the Bravia brand’s legacy. Sony will retain visibility in the home entertainment segment without managing day-to-day hardware operations.
In related news, TCL has introduced the 5G Mobile WiFi P50 and the WiFi Router BE36 at CES 2026, while also unveiling the world’s first HDR10 AR glasses, the RayNeo Air 4 Pro.
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TCL Launches 5G Mobile WiFi P50 and WiFi Router BE36 at CES 2026
TCL is done waiting for the future of connectivity; it just launched it. At CES 2026, the company unveiled the 5G Mobile WiFi P50 and WiFi Router BE36, two devices designed to cover the entire spectrum of modern connectivity needs, from your backyard to your basement office.
The TCL 5G Mobile WiFi P50 is more than a pocketable hotspot. It’s the first 5G mmWave mobile router that also supports both fast charging and wireless charging. It packs a 5000mAh battery for up to 12 hours of portable use, doubles as a power bank, and features a 2.4-inch touchscreen for live network stats. On the connectivity side, it delivers up to 3.97Gbps via full-spectrum 5G (mmWave + Sub-6), and tri-band Wi-Fi 7 speeds topping 5.8Gbps for up to 64 devices. There’s even a Gigabit Ethernet port for times when wireless just won’t cut it.
While the P50 is built for mobility, the TCL WiFi Router BE36 is focused on home performance. It offers 3.6Gbps Wi-Fi 7 across dual bands, supports up to 512 device connections, and leverages 3T3R (2ss) antenna tech to boost range. It’s EasyMesh R6 compatible too, meaning you can deploy multiple units to blanket large homes in a seamless, zero dead-zone network.
Security hasn’t been left behind either. The BE36 includes firewall-level protection with malware filters, brute-force attack detection, and smart-home security baked in. There’s even a built-in VPN suite and a dedicated gaming acceleration mode. Rounding it off is a 2.5GE port for serious wired performance.
In related news, TCL also unveiled the RayNeo Air 4 Pro, billed as the world’s first HDR10-enabled AR glasses, alongside the NxtPaper 70 Pro tablet with a dedicated eye-care display and stylus support at CES 2026.
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TCL Unveils World’s First HDR10 AR Glasses: RayNeo Air 4 Pro at CES 2026
TCL’s RayNeo has introduced the RayNeo Air 4 Pro AR glasses at CES 2026. The device is the world’s first AR glasses to support HDR10, aiming to deliver a cinema-like viewing experience in a lightweight wearable form.
RayNeo originally launched the Air 4 Pro in China last year. The company is now taking the product global, positioning it as a new category of “head-mounted TV.” The glasses feature a 201-inch virtual display at a 6-meter distance and weigh just 76 grams. They connect to USB-C display output devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Switch 2.
The Air 4 Pro is powered by the custom Vision 4000 chip. The processor enables real-time video enhancements, including upscaling SDR content to HDR and converting 2D video into 3D. The glasses support HDR10 for richer contrast and more vibrant color reproduction.
For audio, RayNeo collaborated with Bang & Olufsen to design a four-speaker system. The glasses use directional sound tubes to provide immersive audio while minimizing sound leakage. The sound system has been fine-tuned by B&O’s audio engineering team.
The design focuses on comfort and portability. Adjustable nose pads and a balanced frame allow for extended use. The lightweight build makes it suitable for travel and on-the-go entertainment.
RayNeo plans to launch the Air 4 Pro globally on January 25 for $299. The price undercuts many other AR glasses in the market, making it one of the most affordable options in its class.
If you are planning to buy an AR headset right now, the Air 3s Pro is also worth considering, as it is currently on sale for $249.