This article needs to be updated.(January 2020) |
Company type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Industry | Consumer electronics |
Founded | 1917 Napa, California, U.S. |
Founder | Edwin Pridham Peter L. Jensen |
Headquarters | Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. |
Products | Odyssey and its successors TVs Speakers Blu-ray and DVD players Dehumidifiers Heaters Air conditioners Headphones Batteries |
Parent | Philips |
Website | magnavox |
Magnavox (Latin for "great voice", stylized as MAGNAVOX or sometimes Magnavox in Australia) is an American electronics company. It was purchased by North American Philips in 1974,[1] which was absorbed into Dutch electronics company Philips in 1991. The predecessor to Magnavox was founded in 1911 by Edwin Pridham and Peter L. Jensen, co-inventors of the moving-coil loudspeaker at their lab in Napa, California, under United States Patent number 1,105,924 for telephone receivers.[2] Six decades later, Magnavox produced the Odyssey, the world's first home video game console.
On January 29, 2013, it was announced that Philips had agreed to sell its audio and video operations to the Japan-based Funai Electric for €150 million, with the audio business planned to transfer to Funai in the latter half of 2013, and the video business in 2017.[3][4][5] As part of the transaction, Funai was to pay a regular licensing fee to Philips for the use of the Philips brand.[4] The purchase agreement was terminated by Philips in October because of breach of contract[6] and the consumer electronics operations remain under Philips. Philips said it would seek damages for breach of contract in the US$200-million sale.[7] In April 2016, the International Court of Arbitration ruled in favour of Philips, awarding compensation of €135 million in the process.[8] Magnavox brand name products are currently made by Funai and Craig Electronics under license from trademark owner Philips.[9]
January 2025, Curtis International Ltd. acquired the global rights to the iconic Magnavox® brand. This historic acquisition marks a significant milestone in the consumer electronics industry, as Curtis International takes the helm of a brand that has been a household name for decades. Curtis International’s strategic acquisition of the Magnavox® brand underscores its dedication to growth and innovation within the consumer electronics sector. As the company embarks on this new chapter, it remains focused on delivering products in the consumer electronics and home appliance industry. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction has established us as a leader in the industry and a preferred choice for customers seeking high-quality electronics at affordable prices.