Oct 05, 2010

Press Release

Panasonic Develops Industry-first* TV Auction Service Jointly with Yahoo Japan

Panasonic plans to further expand its television-based online services with the launch of an auction service compatible television by next spring.

Osaka, Japan - Panasonic Corporation has teamed up with Yahoo Japan Corporation for the joint development of the industry's first* flat-panel television to be compatible with Yahoo Japan's auction service, Yahoo! Auctions.

Since its launch in 1999, Yahoo! Auctions has become the most extensive online auction service in Japan. Now, Panasonic and Yahoo Japan have teamed up together to develop a television-based auction service with user-friendly screen design and operations, and simple payment systems, to bring to the whole family the enjoyment of the service. The companies aim to release the product commercially next spring.

Panasonic will showcase the concept model at the CEATEC JAPAN 2010 exhibition at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City, east of Tokyo, from October 5 to 9. The concept model on display also offers an electronic magazine viewing feature for several types of magazines, including Yahoo Japan's X BRAND, Viewn Corp.'s Viewn, and the lifestyle magazine Tokyo Calendar published by Access Co., Ltd. The addition of these new online services will further expand Panasonic's own "TV de Net" online service content.

Separately, Panasonic agreed today to begin joint research with Rakuten, Inc., a company deploying a variety of online businesses including Rakuten Ichiba, Japan's largest online shopping mall. This agreement looks toward commercialization of television-based e-commerce (TV-EC) products. Together, Panasonic and Rakuten are pursuing the easy operation of TV-EC products and services and to provide these services in Japan, Europe, the U.S., and the global markets in the future.

Panasonic began cooperation with service providers in May 2003, with the release of an online-service compatible television incorporating the T-Navi lifestyle information network service for digital televisions. Since 2008, the company has also deployed VIERA CAST, a network service offered in overseas markets, mainly in Europe and the U.S. With these developments, Panasonic has continued to lead the industry for Internet television by expanding a range of Internet services with high user affinity to the television viewers.

In recent years, various types of mobile information devices such as laptop computers have appeared on the scene. At the same time, there is a greater need for flat-panel televisions with Internet functions that can easily be enjoyed by families in their own living rooms. As the demand for flat-panel televisions increases globally, those needs are diversifying in the global market.

Panasonic aims to further develop its large-screen and high-quality flat-panel television technology for PDPs and other models, enhancing their potential as information tools easily operable by children or senior citizens. Panasonic will continue to create new, and exciting television experiences in the future.

*As of October 5, 2010 in regards to television-based auction services in Japan; research by Panasonic.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 7.42 trillion yen (US$79.4 billion) for the year ended March 31, 2010. The company's shares are listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:PC) stock exchanges. For more information on the company and the Panasonic brand, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.

Media Contacts:

Overseas Public Relations Office
Panasonic Corporation
Tel: 03-6403-3040 Fax: 03-3436-6766
Panasonic News Bureau
Tel: 03-3542-6205 Fax: 03-3542-9018
*The content in the following news releases is accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change without notice. Please note therefore that these documents may not always contain the most up-to-date information.

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