Just before NAB 2017, Panasonic opened a new company, Panasonic Media Entertainment Company, to specialize in the sports and entertainment sectors in North America. The company will be based in Newark, New Jersey, in Panasonic North America’s headquarters, with facilities in Denver, Los Angeles, Orlando and the greater Dallas area. The new company will also work closely with Panasonic Corporation’s new Connected Solutions Company, which will serve six industries, one of them media and entertainment.

According to Panasonic Media Entertainment Company president Masaharu Nakayama, the new, 140-employee company will “develop and sell proprietary technological solutions that incorporate high-performance projectors, large screen LED display systems, broadcast-related equipment, professional audio systems, and energy-saving lighting equipment to diverse customers in the entertainment business including theme parks.”

With speakers representing sports teams and Broadway plays, the emphasis appeared to be more on live events than traditional film/TV. Nakayama said that the company will also develop “original technology solutions” for resorts, convention centers and sports stadiums, offering system design and integration, maintenance and service support.

“Having already completed major projects for projection mapping, spectacular videoboards and other solutions in iconic sports and entertainment destinations, it’s only natural for Panasonic to widen our vision to plan and deliver innovative next-generation solutions customized for our customers in the entertainment business,” Nakayama said.

Nonetheless, Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Company president John Baisley pointed out that the company is still investing in Hollywood, with people, tools and resources. Among the films and TV shows relying on the company’s Varicam camera are upcoming movies “The Forgiven” (shot by cinematographer William Wages, ASC) and supernatural thriller “Death Note” (shot by David Tattersall, ASC), and TV series including Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black,” HBO’s upcoming “The Deuce” and AMC’s “Better Call Saul,” among others.