TCL will introduce Filmmaker Mode to its Mini LED, LCD TVs for the first time in 2025. The mode, originally developed by Hollywood studios and industry groups in 2019, is intended to preserve the director’s creative intent by disabling motion smoothing and maintaining accurate color, contrast, and frame rate in both SDR and HDR formats.

Filmmaker Mode will be available on several TCL models launching this year, including the C6K, C7K, C8K, C9K, and X11K in Europe, and the QM6K, QM7K, QM8K, and X11K in North America. These TVs feature a range of Mini LED backlight configurations and brightness levels, with Google TV 12.0 as the operating system.

Although the new mode resembles the existing Movie or Cinema presets found on many TVs, it uses a standardized label that is intended to make it easier for viewers to select a consistent and accurate picture mode across different brands and models. TCL says the traditional Movie mode will still be available for use in brighter environments.

Automatic switching into Filmmaker Mode will be supported on compatible streaming services, such as Prime Video. TCL has also confirmed that a firmware update scheduled for the second half of 2025 will expand Filmmaker Mode support to include Dolby Vision content. This could potentially replace the current Dolby Vision Dark mode, although a final decision has not yet been made.

TCL has not confirmed whether Filmmaker Mode will come to any 2024 models, but it has not ruled out the option.

The 2025 lineup featuring Filmmaker Mode is beginning to roll out across markets, offering a new viewing option for those looking for image settings aligned with industry recommendations.

In related news, trade negotiations have helped stabilize the display market even as TV sales decline in China, with TCL holding its market position.

(Via)

Recent progress in China-US trade negotiations has eased a major short-term risk for the global consumer electronics supply chain. The display panel industry, which faced significant pressure from geopolitical uncertainty, is now showing signs of stability. Analysts expect the sector to return to a steady growth trajectory, supported by improved inventory levels and a shift toward demand-driven production. Major panel makers, including TCL, are expected to maintain strong profitability through the second quarter and beyond.=

In the first quarter of 2025, overseas policy support and Chinese subsidies drove a wave of restocking by set manufacturers. According to RUNTO Technology, global shipments of large-size LCD TV panels reached 63 million units, up 11.5% year-on-year and 4.8% quarter-on-quarter. Shipment area also rose 13.8% compared to last year. Panel prices increased by about $2 across most sizes.

Concerns about a possible slowdown in Q2 have eased. Sigmaintell Consulting estimates that procurement from the world’s top nine TV brands will decline just 2.4% in the second quarter, suggesting stable demand. Supply-side producers have responded with careful capacity management. TrendForce reports that industry utilization in May dropped by 6% to 7%, reaching around 80%. This adjustment has helped stabilize panel prices. Average prices for 55-inch and 65-inch TV panels remain unchanged at $127 and $177, the highest since the fourth quarter of last year.

TCL expects the current industry trends to support better results in 2025. The company recently highlighted long-term supply-demand improvements during its investor briefing. It projected higher average utilization and pricing levels compared to last year. TCL is also finalizing the full integration of LG Display’s Guangzhou assets in Q2. In addition, its planned acquisition of minority stakes in CSOT’s t6 and t7 Gen-11 lines is expected to enhance profitability.

While trade risks still exist, market experts believe their direct impact on the panel industry may be limited. TCL’s global presence and production scale continue to strengthen its position as demand stabilizes.

In related news, TCL CSOT has unveiled the world’s first inkjet-printed OLED smartphone panel and introduced new Micro LED technology at SID 2025.

(Source)

In April 2025, the Chinese TV market saw its first year-on-year decline in shipments in seven months, with total units falling 4.3% to 2.365 million, according to data from RUNTO Technology. The dip follows months of growth spurred by a national subsidy policy introduced last October. Shipments also declined 8.0% from March, indicating a broader slowdown in consumer demand.

Amid this shift, TCL continues to maintain a steady presence both in the domestic and global markets. Together with Hisense and Skyworth, TCL contributed to a combined total of 1.41 million units shipped in April, representing 59.6% of the market share for the top three domestic brands. This reflects a relatively stable performance compared to the broader market decline.

In contrast, Xiaomi recorded a 2.2% year-on-year growth in April shipments, reaching approximately 460,000 units and capturing 19.5% of the market. While Xiaomi holds a firm second place domestically, TCL’s focus remains increasingly global.

According to industry research firm Omdia, TCL led in several global TV segments in 2024. The brand ranked first in three categories: 85-inch and larger TVs (22.1% global share), Mini LED TVs (28.8% share), and Google TVs, where it has held the top spot for four consecutive years. These results suggest continued consumer interest in larger, high-performance displays.

TCL’s product strategy has emphasized advanced technologies, including Mini LED backlighting and quantum dot displays. New models like the Thunderbird Crane 7 Pro, with a peak brightness of 4200 nits, reflect that direction.

As foreign brands like Samsung, Sony, and Philips face shipment pressures in China, and as competition from Xiaomi and Hisense remains tight, TCL’s dual focus on innovation and global scale may offer resilience in a cooling market.

In related news, TCL CSOT has unveiled the world’s first inkjet-printed OLED smartphone panel and introduced new Micro LED technology at SID 2025.

(Source)