Phillip's To U.S. TV Market: It's Been Fun, Kthxbai!

It looks like another TV manufacturer is pulling out of the States due to the rapid decline in profit margins for manufacturers here (perhaps because of the pathetically sagging wonderful economy or rampant haggling). Phillip's has announced that they would cease manufacturing and selling TV in the U.S. as of September 1, instead choosing to focus on other, more profitable markets, such as Europe where they apparently have a stronger brand identity.

That doesn't mean that we here in the States won't see Phillips or Magnavox anymore though. The company has chosen to licence their name to Tokyo-based Funai Electronics, makers of such wonderfully fantastic brands like Emerson and Symphonic. Funai will assume just about all aspects of the Phillips products here in the States including sales, marketing and customer service. While this may seem like an odd move, it allows Phillips to collect license revenue from the US market while focusing on their core consumers elsewhere.

So, moral of the story: if you buy a Phillips TV after September 1 and you live in the U.S., remember that you are basically buying a Sylvania TV. I know, it may look like a good deal, but just keep that in mind.

Philips Ending Production of TVs for U.S. Market [NY Times]