Major media outlets began circulating reports yesterday that LG was allegedly preparing to exit the television market after nearly six decades in the business. The speculation centered on a trip by LG executives to Beijing for meetings with senior representatives from Chinese brand Hisense, which was said to be interested in acquiring LG’s TV division.
LG moved quickly to push back. Within hours, the company contacted Android Authority to flatly deny the rumors. It rejected outright any suggestion that it was shutting down or selling its television business to Hisense:
LG Electronics would like to state that the information regarding the potential sale of its TV business is completely unfounded and therefore purely speculative and misleading.
Still, rumors of this magnitude rarely surface from nowhere. From LG’s perspective, a leak about a pending deal could tank its stock and drive down any potential sale price. The company has already dropped out of the top three global TV makers, a ranking now held by Samsung, TCL, and Hisense. That slide raises questions about whether South Korea’s LG might eventually pull the plug on TVs, just as it did with smartphones in 2021.
The television industry has undergone significant consolidation in recent years as manufacturers grapple with shrinking margins and intensifying competition from Chinese rivals. LG’s position in particular has weakened as TCL and Hisense have aggressively expanded their market share through competitive pricing and improved display technology. Industry analysts have noted that LG’s exit from the smartphone business, which the company announced in April 2021, demonstrated a willingness to abandon consumer electronics categories where profitability proved elusive.
The current global TV market landscape reflects this ongoing shift. Samsung maintains its position as the leading manufacturer, while Chinese brands have steadily climbed the rankings. According to multiple industry tracking firms, TCL and Hisense have both surpassed LG in shipment volumes, a reversal that would have been difficult to predict even five years ago. For readers seeking additional context on how these market dynamics have evolved, our previous coverage of television industry consolidation trends examines the broader competitive pressures facing established brands.
Global TV market rankings as of early 2026. Data compiled from industry shipment reports by Counterpoint Research and TrendForce.
The denial from LG headquarters leaves several questions unresolved. The company has not explained why its executives traveled to Beijing for what it characterized as routine business discussions, nor has it addressed whether any assets or intellectual property related to display technology were discussed with Hisense representatives. Both companies manufacture OLED and LCD panels, though Hisense has historically relied more heavily on less expensive display technologies.
For consumers, the immediate practical impact appears limited. LG continues to sell televisions through its established retail channels and has announced no changes to its product roadmap or warranty obligations. The company has also emphasized its commitment to expanding its OLED lineup, which remains a significant differentiator against most competitors except Sony and Samsung.
Source: androidauthority
