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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Plasma TVs are no longer made because improving LCD televisions became brighter, thinner, lighter, cheaper to produce and more widely available, while demand for plasma fell. Panasonic ended plasma panel production in December 2013; LG and Samsung followed by 2014. Plasma had real picture-quality strengths, but those could not offset the changing economics of television manufacturing.
What made plasma different?
A plasma screen produced light at the pixel. Each pixel contained tiny gas-filled cells; an electrical discharge excited phosphors inside them, making visible light. Unlike an LCD television, it did not rely on a separate backlight. That emissive design helped plasma deliver deep blacks, strong contrast and broad viewing angles. Panasonic also highlighted its smooth handling of motion.
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The technology mattered most when televisions were moving beyond bulky CRT sets. Large LCD screens were difficult or expensive to make in the early years, while plasma made large, flat, wall-mountable televisions practical. TechRadar reports that Fujitsu was producing 42-inch consumer plasma displays in 1997. Panasonic says it began mass production of plasma display panels in 2001 and expanded capacity substantially during the following decade.
Panasonic’s corporate history records monthly production of 125,000 panels at the first phase of its Amagasaki plant by November 2005, then a combined monthly capacity of 460,000 panels across four plants in 2006. Those figures describe Panasonic manufacturing capacity, not worldwide sales.
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Why did LCD catch up and overtake plasma?
Plasma did not lose because of one fatal technical flaw. LCD improved along several dimensions at once, and those improvements aligned with what manufacturers could produce at scale and what many shoppers wanted.
LCD sets became brighter, slimmer and cheaper
LCD televisions grew brighter and less expensive as manufacturing improved. LED backlights—still part of an LCD display, not a separate display technology—helped make sets thinner. RTINGS reports that LCD took the market-share lead in 2007. At the same time, LCD had a broader manufacturing base and more development investment, making it easier for producers to reduce costs and keep improving the product.
Plasma had disadvantages in bright rooms and ownership
Plasma’s lower peak brightness made it less compelling in sunlit rooms and under the intense lights of retail showrooms. Power use varied with the image being shown and was often higher than that of LCD/LED sets. Plasma televisions were also generally heavier and thicker than competing LCD models, which mattered as consumers came to expect slim, lightweight screens.
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Resolution expectations moved toward 4K
As the television market shifted toward 4K, plasma remained at 1080p. Buyers seeking a large, sharper screen increasingly found that resolution in LCD/LED products. Resolution alone did not end plasma, but it added to the pressure as LCD production scaled and plasma demand declined.
How did the business end?
The commercial case deteriorated as large-screen LCDs developed rapidly, price competition intensified and demand for plasma panels fell. Panasonic’s 2013 explanation, reproduced by What Hi-Fi?, was that “it was judged that continuing the business would be difficult and a decision was made to stop production”. That was the company’s rationale for its own withdrawal, rather than proof of a single industry-wide cause.
Panasonic confirmed the end of plasma production in October 2013. Panel production was scheduled to cease in December 2013, with factory operations stopping by March 2014. RTINGS reports that Panasonic, LG and Samsung had all stopped plasma production by 2014. Once major manufacturers withdrew and demand continued to weaken, the format no longer had a viable commercial path comparable to LCD/LED.
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Plasma’s rise and fall at a glance
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1997 | TechRadar reports Fujitsu producing 42-inch consumer plasma displays; the article attributes a reported original price of $20,000 to the San Francisco Business Times. |
| 2001 | Panasonic says mass production of plasma display panels began at its First Ibaraki Plant. |
| 2005–2006 | Panasonic expanded production, reaching a reported combined capacity of 460,000 panels per month across four plants in 2006. |
| 2007 | LCD took the market-share lead, according to RTINGS. |
| 2010 | TechRadar, citing Omdia, reports that plasma shipments peaked at 18.4 million units. |
| December 2013 | Panasonic ended plasma panel production. |
| 2014 | Panasonic, LG and Samsung had all stopped plasma production, according to RTINGS. |
TechRadar, citing Omdia, also reports six million plasma units shipped globally per year by 2005. The 2005 and 2010 figures are attributed to Omdia by TechRadar; they are historical shipment estimates, not Panasonic’s production capacity.
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Did plasma have better picture quality?
Plasma could be especially appealing in a dim room: its self-emissive pixels supported strong contrast, and its wide viewing angles and motion handling were valued by enthusiasts. But “better” depended on the viewing conditions and the feature being judged. A brighter LCD/LED set could be easier to see in a sunlit room, and LCD/LED models advanced in resolution, size, efficiency and price.
OLED is not plasma under another name. Both technologies produce light at the pixel and can offer wide viewing angles, but they are distinct display types; OLED can also suffer image retention. LED televisions, meanwhile, are LCD televisions that use LED backlights.
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- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Can you still use a plasma TV?
Yes. The end of production did not make existing sets unusable. A working plasma television may continue to serve its owner, although its condition and remaining service life depend on the individual set. Panasonic’s Singapore support guidance says, “All displays that use phosphors lose brightness over time.” It also warns that leaving a bright, static image on screen can create a permanent shadow.
- Avoid leaving paused games, menus or persistent channel logos on screen for long periods.
- Use moderate brightness and contrast rather than running the panel at maximum settings.
- Judge a set by its current picture and condition; there is no precise lifespan established for every plasma model.
Panasonic’s guidance is available on its Plasma & LCD TV support page. Availability of replacement panels, circuit boards, remotes and repair services depends on the model and location; it should not be assumed for a particular set.
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Choose a current television around the room and viewing needs rather than trying to find a direct plasma equivalent. A bright room makes peak brightness and glare handling more important; a dim room can make contrast a stronger priority. Also consider screen size, resolution, energy use and budget. Current model prices and recommendations change, so compare options available in your region at the time of purchase.
Quick Recap
Sources
- RTINGS: Plasma vs LED vs LCD TVs, for display mechanisms and comparative market factors.
- Panasonic Holdings corporate history, for PDP production and capacity milestones.
- TechRadar: Plasma TV: why Samsung and Panasonic ditched the technology for good, for historical context and figures attributed to Omdia.
- What Hi-Fi?: Panasonic officially ends plasma TV production, for Panasonic’s 2013 announcement and factory timeline.
- Panasonic Singapore: Plasma & LCD TV, for phosphor aging and image-retention care guidance.
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