TCL Technology

{{prose|section|date=March 2020}}

The company was founded in 1981 by 2 close friends, Tomson Li Dongsheng and Luca Situ under the brand name TTK as an audio cassette manufacturer.{{Cite web|title=About TCL - TCL India|url=https://www.tcl.com/in/en/about-tcl|access-date=2021-09-01|website=www.tcl.com|language=en}} It was founded as a state-owned enterprise.{{cite web |url=http://tech.163.com/07/0620/08/3HDSRHJR000915BD.html |title=李东生称Tcl不可能退市 放弃"中国雄狮"称号_网易科技 |website=tech.163.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106121933/http://tech.163.com/07/0620/08/3HDSRHJR000915BD.html |archive-date=6 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}

In 1985, after being sued by Japanese cassette manufacturer TDK for intellectual property violation, the company changed its brand name to TCL by taking the initials from Telecom Corporation Limited.

In 1999, TCL entered the Vietnamese market.{{Cite web|title=TCL Corp took global strategy to heart early - China - Chinadaily.com.cn|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/kindle/2017-01/01/content_27835493.htm|access-date=2021-05-27|website=www.chinadaily.com.cn}}

On 19 September 2002, TCL announced the acquisition of all consumer electronics related assets of the former German company Schneider Rundfunkwerke, including the right to use its trademarks as Schneider, Dual, Albona, Joyce and Logix.{{cite news|url=http://multimedia.tcl.com/UserFiles/File/IR/Press%20Releases/2002/20020919%20E.pdf|title=TCL International announces acquisition of assets from Schneider|access-date=11 January 2019|work=TCL Press Release|date=19 September 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528152439/http://multimedia.tcl.com/UserFiles/File/IR/Press%20Releases/2002/20020919%20E.pdf|archive-date=28 May 2016|url-status=live}}

In July 2003, TCL chairman Li Dongsheng formally announced a "Dragon and Tiger Plan" to establish two competitive TCL businesses in global markets ("Dragons") and three leading businesses inside China ("Tigers").{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/article1701776.ece|title=A learning dragon with long strides|access-date=17 April 2011|work=The Hindu|date=16 April 2011|location=Chennai, India|first=D.|last=Murali|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110419073524/http://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/article1701776.ece|archive-date=19 April 2011|url-status=live}}

In November 2003, TCL and Vantiva (then-named Thomson SA) of France announced the creation of a joint venture to produce televisions and DVD players worldwide.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-turns-into-tv-powerhouse/|title=China Turns Into TV Powerhouse|access-date=17 April 2011|publisher=CBS News|date=10 November 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103195728/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/11/10/world/main582783.shtml|archive-date=3 November 2012|url-status=live}} TCL took a 67 percent stake in the joint venture, with Thomson SA holding the rest of the shares, and it was agreed that televisions made by TCL-Thomson would be marketed under the TCL brand in Asia, and the Thomson and RCA brands in Europe and North America.

In April 2004, TCL and Alcatel announced the creation of a mobile phone manufacturing joint venture: Alcatel Mobile. TCL injected 55 million euros in the venture in return for a 55 per cent shareholding.

In April 2005, TCL closed its manufacturing plant in Türkheim, Bavaria, laying off 120 former Schneider employees.

In May 2005, TCL announced that its Hong Kong-listed unit would acquire Alcatel's 45 per cent stake in their mobile-phone joint venture for consideration of HK$63.34 million ($8.1 million) worth of TCL Communication shares.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aRUa6H1Z_x98&refer=europe|title=TCL Unit to Buy 45% Stake of Mobile-Phone Venture From Alcatel|access-date=25 April 2011|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|date=16 May 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160200/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aRUa6H1Z_x98&refer=europe|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}

In June 2007, TCL announced that its mobile phone division planned to cease using the Alcatel brand and switch entirely to the TCL brand within five years.{{cite news|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2007-06/20/content_5419829.htm|title=TCL to switch to own brand|access-date=25 April 2011|work=China Daily|date=20 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423212607/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2007-06/20/content_5419829.htm|archive-date=23 April 2012|url-status=live}}

In April 2008, Samsung Electronics announced that it would be outsourcing the production of some LCD TV modules to TCL.{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/samsung-tcl-idINSEO25310120080429|title=Samsung to outsource some work to China's TCL|access-date=17 April 2011|publisher=Reuters|date=29 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003120807/http://in.reuters.com/article/2008/04/29/samsung-tcl-idINSEO25310120080429|archive-date=3 October 2012|url-status=dead}}

In July 2008, TCL announced that it planned to raise 1.7 billion yuan ($249 million) via a share placement on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange to fund the construction of two production lines for LCD televisions; one for screens of up to 42 inches, and the other for screens of up to 56 inches.{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/tcl-placement-idINSHA16593320080715|title=China TCL share placement to raise $249 million|access-date=17 April 2011|publisher=Reuters|date=15 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003121437/http://in.reuters.com/article/2008/07/15/tcl-placement-idINSHA16593320080715|archive-date=3 October 2012|url-status=dead}} TCL sold a total of 4.18 million LCD TV sets in 2008, more than triple the number during 2007.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSHKG4517120090122?pageNumber=1|title=China's TCL to double LCD TV capacity|access-date=17 April 2011|publisher=Reuters|date=22 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218143118/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/01/22/idUSHKG4517120090122?pageNumber=1|archive-date=18 December 2014|url-status=live}}

In January 2009, TCL announced plans to double its LCD TV production capacity to 10 million units by the end of 2009.

In November 2009, TCL announced that it had formed a joint-venture with the Shenzhen government to construct an 8.5-generation thin film transistor-liquid crystal display production facility in the city at a cost of $3.9 billion.{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/news/china-to-build-4bn-advance-lcd-factory/story-e6frg90x-1225798620499|title=China to build $4bn advanced LCD plant|access-date=25 April 2011|work=The Australian|date=17 November 2009|first=Rose|last=Yu}}

In March 2010, TCL Electronics raised HK$525 million through the sale of shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, in order to fund the development of its LCD and LED businesses and to generate working capital.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/tcl-idUSTOE69703T20101008|title=TCL Multimedia sees losses at U.S., Europe ops|access-date=17 April 2011|publisher=Reuters|date=8 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022034142/http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/10/08/tcl-idUSTOE69703T20101008|archive-date=22 October 2014|url-status=live}}

In May 2011, TCL launched the China Smart Multimedia Terminal Technology Association in partnership with Hisense Electric Co. and Sichuan Changhong Electric Co., with the aim of helping to establish industry standards for smart televisions.

In January 2013, TCL bought the naming rights for Grauman's Chinese Theatre for $5 million.{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-fi-ct-chinese-theater-20130111,0,1298028.story | work=Los Angeles Times | first=Richard | last=Verrier | title=China firm buys naming rights to Grauman's Chinese Theatre | date=11 January 2013 | access-date=18 February 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112100424/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-fi-ct-chinese-theater-20130111,0,1298028.story | archive-date=12 January 2013 | url-status=live }}

File:Grauman's Chinese Theatre, by Carol Highsmith fixed & straightened.jpg, or TCL Chinese Theatre, at Hollywood, California]]

In 2014, TCL changed the meaning of its identifying initials from "Telephone Communication Limited" to a branding slogan, "The Creative Life", for commercial purposes.{{cite web|url=http://news.tcl.com/English.php/About/index.html|title=TCL - About Us|access-date=18 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830153038/http://news.tcl.com/English.php/About/index.html|archive-date=30 August 2019|url-status=dead}}

In February 2014, TCL spent 280 million RMB to purchase 11 percent shareholdings of Tianjin 712 Communication & Broadcasting Co., Ltd, a Chinese military-owned company which produces communication devices and navigation systems for the Chinese army.{{Cite news|date=2015-02-09|title=BRIEF-TCL plans to acquire 11 pct stake in Tianjin-based communication firm|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/tcl-corp-brief-idUSL4N0VJ4M620150209|access-date=2020-10-05}}

In August 2014, TCL partnered with Roku for use as TCL's primary smart TV platform.{{Cite web|last=Roku|title=Roku|url=http://www.roku.com/|access-date=2020-11-11|website=Roku|language=en}} TCL Corporation and Tonly Electronics was implicated in bribing a government official in Guangdong province in exchange for government subsidies.{{cite news | url=http://www.fcpablog.com/blog/2014/8/14/chinas-tcl-corp-implicated-in-bribery-scandal.html | work=The FCPA | first=Hui | last=Zhi | title=China's TCL Corp implicated in bribery scandal | date=14 August 2014 | access-date=19 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119132600/http://www.fcpablog.com/blog/2014/8/14/chinas-tcl-corp-implicated-in-bribery-scandal.html | archive-date=19 November 2018 | url-status=live }}

In October 2014, TCL acquired the Palm brand from HP for use on smartphones.{{cite web|title=Palm could be coming back to life — as an Android phone from Alcatel|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/12/31/7474965/hp-sells-palm-acatel-one-touch-tcl|website=The Verge|access-date=2 January 2015|date=31 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102114135/http://www.theverge.com/2014/12/31/7474965/hp-sells-palm-acatel-one-touch-tcl|archive-date=2 January 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Palm makes a comeback! TCL to 're-create' the brand|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/palm-makes-a-comeback-tcl-to-recreate-the-brand/|website=CNET|access-date=8 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108073432/http://www.cnet.com/news/palm-makes-a-comeback-tcl-to-recreate-the-brand/|archive-date=8 January 2015|url-status=live}}

In 2016, TCL reached an agreement with BlackBerry Limited to produce smartphones under the BlackBerry brand,{{cite web|title=TCL signs an exclusive deal to build BlackBerry-branded phones|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/15/blackberry/|website=TechCrunch|date=15 December 2016 |access-date=15 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215175915/https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/15/blackberry/|archive-date=15 December 2016|url-status=live|first1=Brian|last1=Heater}} under BlackBerry Mobile. This deal ceased on 31 August 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/3/21120107/tcl-blackberry-ends-phone-global-rights-date-2020|title=BlackBerry phones could disappear as TCL partnership ends|first=Jacob|last=Kastrenakes|date=3 February 2020|website=The Verge|access-date=6 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307040921/https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/3/21120107/tcl-blackberry-ends-phone-global-rights-date-2020|archive-date=7 March 2020|url-status=live}}

In 2019, due to restructuring, TCL completed the handover of major assets and was split into TCL Technology Group Corporation (TCL Technology) and TCL Industrial Holdings (TCL Industrials).{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2019-10-09/benefited-from-asset-restructuring-of-parent-company-tcl |title=Benefited from Asset Restructuring of Parent Company, TCL |website=Bloomberg |date=October 8, 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414102117/https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2019-10-09/benefited-from-asset-restructuring-of-parent-company-tcl |archive-date=2021-04-14}}

In 2020, TCL Technology acquired Samsung Display's assets in Suzhou, China, including a Gen 8.5 fab and a co-located LCD module plant.{{Cite web|title=China Star Acquires Samsung Suzhou |url=https://www.displaysupplychain.com/blog/csot-acquires-samsung-suzhou|access-date=2021-05-27|website=Display Supply Chain Consultants |date=August 31, 2020 }}

{{prose|section|date=March 2020}}

TCL is organized into five business divisions:

• Multimedia: TV sets
• Communications: cell phones and MIFI devices
• Home Appliances: AC units and laundry machines
• Home Electronics / Consumer Electronics: ODM products, like DVD, etc.
• Semiconductor Display and Materials: including China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT),{{Cite web |url=http://szcsot.com/ |title=szcsot.com |access-date=16 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316052651/http://www.szcsot.com/ |archive-date=16 March 2016 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=130640235|title=Shenzhen Huaxing Photoelectric Technology Co. Ltd.: Private Company Information - Bloomberg|website=www.bloomberg.com|access-date=5 June 2019}} Guangdong Juhua Printing Display Technology Co., Ltd.{{Cite web|date=2016-09-20|title=CYNORA and Juhua announce cooperation on OLED TVs|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160920005763/en/CYNORA-and-Juhua-announce-cooperation-on-OLED-TVs|access-date=2021-05-27|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en}} and Guangzhou ChinaRay Optoelectronic Materials Co., Ltd.{{cite web|title=TCL announced "Establishing large-area OLED panel production plant", is solution processed RGB OLED mass production accelerated?|website=ChinaRay OLED - Industry News|url=http://www.chinaray-oled.com/wap/en/le.php?id=24&f=13}}

In addition, it has four affiliated business areas covering real estate and investment, logistics services, online education services, and finance.

In 2021, TCL had 28 research and development (R&D) organizations, 10 joint laboratories, and 22 manufacturing bases.{{Cite web|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201803/13/WS5aa72efca3106e7dcc141441.html|title=TCL plans AI center in Eastern Europe}} TCL Corporation also has its own research facility called TCL Corporate Research, which is located in Shenzhen, with the objective to research cutting-edge technology innovations for other subsidiaries.

In 2020, TCL introduced an innovative display technology known as TCL NXTPAPER, characterized by its reduction of blue light and anti-glare capabilities, aimed at enhancing visual comfort.{{Cite web |title=TCL launches 2 new tablets, a smartwatch and the world's first 'zero eye strain' display |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/tcls-new-tablets-tout-the-worlds-first-zero-eye-strain-display/ |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=CNET |language=en}}

File:FFalcon TV.jpg

TCL's primary products are TVs, DVD players, air conditioners, mobile phones, home appliances, electric lighting, and digital media. They also sell robot vacuum cleaners.{{Cite web |title=TCL Robot Vacuum Cleaner - TCL UK |url=https://www.tcl.com/uk/en/robot-vacuum-cleaner |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=www.tcl.com |language=en}}

It primarily sells its products under the following brand names:

• TCL for TVs and air conditioners in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America, South America, and Russia
• Alcatel Mobile and Thomson for mobile phones (global)[http://www.tcl.com/main_en/About%20TCL/Company%20Profile/index.shtml?catalogId=13046 Company Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090501191712/http://www.tcl.com/main_en/About%20TCL/Company%20Profile/index.shtml?catalogId=13046 |date=1 May 2009 }} TCL Official Site
• RCA-branded electrical products in the United States
• Some Roku models in United States
• Beginning in 2019, JB Hi-Fi in Australia started selling a new line of budget Smart TV's under the brand name [https://ffalcon.com.au/ FFalcon], which are manufactured by TCL, and contain TCL firmware, software and components.{{Cite web |title=EXCLUSIVE: JB Hi Fi Launch New FFalcon TV Brand Made By TCL (7th July, 2019) |url=https://www.channelnews.com.au/excluse-jb-hi-fi-launch-new-ffalcon-tv-brand-made-by-tcl/}}

The company, as of April 2012, is in venture with Swedish furniture giant IKEA to provide the consumer electronics behind the Uppleva integrated HDTV and entertainment system product.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ikea-electronics-idUSBRE83G04R20120417|title=IKEA moves into consumer electronics with China venture|author=Anna Ringstrom|date=17 April 2012|publisher=Thomson Reuters|access-date=2 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924163510/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/17/us-ikea-electronics-idUSBRE83G04R20120417|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9U6OBFG0.htm|title=IKEA to sell TVs integrated in its furniture|author=LOUISE NORDSTROM|date=17 April 2012|agency=The Associated Press|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|access-date=18 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427111745/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9U6OBFG0.htm|archive-date=27 April 2012|url-status=dead}}

In 2016, it contract manufactured the Blackberry DTEK for BlackBerry Limited, under their flagship BlackBerry brand. In December 2016, it became a licensee of the BlackBerry brand, to manufacture, distribute, and design devices for the global market. Until August 2020, it distributed BlackBerry devices under the name of BlackBerry Mobile.

TCL is also the owner of the Palm brand. The company launched the Palm "ultra-mobile companion" smartphone in 2018.

In late 2019, TCL released their first own-branded Android phone, called the TCL Plex.{{cite web|url=https://www.gsmarena.com/tcl_plex-9841.php|title=TCL Plex - Full phone specifications|website=www.gsmarena.com|access-date=29 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129102010/https://www.gsmarena.com/tcl_plex-9841.php|archive-date=29 January 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.techguide.com.au/reviews/mobiles-reviews/tcl-plex-smartphone-review-mid-tier-device-punches-well-weight/|title=TCL Plex smartphone review - mid-tier device that punches well above its weight|date=8 November 2019|access-date=29 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110012011/https://www.techguide.com.au/reviews/mobiles-reviews/tcl-plex-smartphone-review-mid-tier-device-punches-well-weight/|archive-date=10 November 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://ausdroid.net/2019/12/07/tcl-plex-australian-review/|title=TCL Plex - Australian Review|first=Chris|last=Rowl|date=7 December 2019|website=Ausdroid|access-date=29 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129102005/https://ausdroid.net/2019/12/07/tcl-plex-australian-review/|archive-date=29 January 2020|url-status=live}}

TCL announced the 10 series for 2020, consisting of the TCL 10 SE, TCL 10L, TCL 10 Pro, TCL 10 Plus and TCL 10 5G.

{{Update|section|date=June 2022}}

In 2015, TCL launched its own streaming television service: GoLive TV or simply GoLive.{{cite news | url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2016-12/22/content_27744359.htm | title=Chinese TV maker targets US audience | first=LIA | last=ZHU | location=San Francisco | work=China Daily | date=December 22, 2016}} It was renamed TCL Channel in 2021{{Cn|date=November 2024}} and was relaunched as TCL TV Plus (stylized as TCLtv+) in 2023.{{cite news | last = Bouma | first = Luke | title = Everything We Know About TCL’s New Free Streaming Service With Over 200 Live Channels TCLtv+ | url = https://cordcuttersnews.com/everything-we-know-about-tcls-new-free-streaming-service-with-over-200-live-channels-tcltv/ | work = Cord Cutters News | date = 27 August 2023 | access-date = 2 December 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230827120447/https://cordcuttersnews.com/everything-we-know-about-tcls-new-free-streaming-service-with-over-200-live-channels-tcltv/ | archive-date = 27 August 2023 | url-status = live }}

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