Sony, Sharp Team Up on LCD Panels

"Japanese electronics makers Sony Corp. and Sharp Corp. said Tuesday they will form a joint venture to make liquid-crystal display panels for televisions at Sharp's new plant as both sides seek to solidify their positions in an increasingly competitive market.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sharp will spin off its LCD panel facilities at a new plant that it is building in western Japan, and share its ownership with Sony. Sharp will hold a controlling stake of 66% in the joint venture, with Sony taking the rest".

Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed, but you can bet there were some large sums of money involved.  With the impeding switch to digital TV here in the states early next year, it's reasonable to assume a whole slew of new LCD TVs are going to get sold.  There's definitely some money to be made, and Sony and Sharp appear to be gearing up for the onslaught.