Sharp resurrecting Pioneer Elite televisions

January 28, 2011 By Geoff Duncan

Sharp has licensed the Pioneer Elite brand for high-end LCD HDTVs to go on sale in the U.S. and Canadian markets later this year.

Sharp Electronics has announced it has licensed the Pioneer Elite brand and plans to launch a new line of high-end LCD HDTVs under the name in the U.S. and Canadian markets later this year. The move marks a resurrection for Pioneer televisions: Pioneer announced it was stopping production of its well-regarded Pioneer Elite Kuro plasma TVs back in 2008, and finally shut down all production last year to focus on home audio and in-vehicle electronics, DJ equipment, and set-top boxes. Some of Pioneer’s home audio and Blu-ray products use the Elite brand; Sharp aims to supplement that with high-end LCD televisions to offer a complete home theater line.

“Adding a line of high-end flat panel TVs fills a market need in the industry and will help reinforce the strength of a complete Elite home theater offering,” said Pioneer executive VP Russ Johnston, in a statement. “With its cutting edge LCD technology and unmatched production capabilities, Sharp is an important strategic collaborator that will deliver a whole new dimension to the large-screen home theater experience.”

Both Sharp and Pioneer will market the new Pioneer Elite branded televisions. No specific models, capabilities, price points, or ship dates have been announced.

The Pioneer Elite line continues to be well regarded amongst audiophiles, and Pioneer’s Elite Kuro televisions were regarded as some of the highest-quality (and highest-priced) televisions available. However, despite glowing reviews, Pioneer wasn’t able to sell enough of the units to justify the massive costs of manufacturing them.

Pioneer’s partnership with Sharp isn’t brand new: Pioneer had been sourcing LCD and plasma panels from Sharp back when it was in the television business, and the companies have previously worked together on Blu-ray and in-vehicle technologies.

Showing 3 comments

madpioneer at 8:59am 9th February 2011 I understand it's a consumer market and manufactures are going to steer in the direction of money and demand. Shame Pioneer withdrew from the big screen plasma design and manufacturing just when they were the 'King of the Hill'. At least they went out on top. Won't be running out to replace my multiple Kuro's with any Sharp Elite LCD or any other 3-D gimmick panel anytime soon. Sad day! Elite on an LCD seems an oxymoron too me.
madpioneer at 8:58am 9th February 2011 If Pioneer had steered the course and continued to manufacture plasmas, their 10th-gen panels would have been more than revolutionary and put the others to shame. Being a huge fan of Pioneer gear, both vintage and modern, it’s sad to see this transition with both the Elite name going onto LCD's plus the fact that Pioneer has shifted it's focus to car audio among other things.
madpioneer at 8:58am 9th February 2011 Sorry, but putting the Elite brand name on an LCD tv is ridiculous. The Elite badge in the past represented the best of the best not to mention the best plasma HDTV's to hit the cusumer market ever. Only slightly rivialed by Pro units costing much more (ie. Runco etc.).