Q. Currently I have an old plasma TV from Panasonic and love the television, but the Netflix app no longer works because it is out-of-date and cannot be updated. I know I can buy a streaming box to get Netflix, but it is probably time to upgrade to 4K anyway. I would like to stick with a Panasonic TV, but they are no longer available. What do you recommend?

—K.R., Milwaukee

A. I have anxiously awaited the day I could answer questions like this by recommending another Panasonic television to those who want one. That day has finally arrived because after a 10-year absence, Panasonic televisions are returning to the American market.

Though Panasonic stopped selling televisions in the United States about a decade ago, they were still sold in many other parts of the world and widely recognized as some of the best televisions you can buy. Panasonic's OLED televisions are so good that they are used by many studios and editors in their production processes, and if you saw "Top Gun: Maverick" you saw a film produced using Panasonic televisions and technology. The Panasonic Hollywood Lab also developed the video processing that makes Panasonic 4K Blu-ray players the best on the market, and the only ones I recommend. Besides the quality of their products, Panasonic is a very customer-focused and socially responsible company that does a lot of good in the world. Of the company’s Seven Founding Principles, the first two are “Contribution to Society” and “Fairness and Honesty” and everything I have seen shows they walk the walk. It’s a great company with a commendable record, and I was very glad to receive the news their televisions are back. More high-quality product options to choose from is always a good thing for the consumer, especially for big purchases like televisions.

I attended the recent Panasonic media event that announced their return and displayed the new televisions, which are chock-full of advanced picture and sound technology and compete at the premium end of the market. The launch consists of two OLED series, the Z95A and Z85A, and one Mini LED series, the W95A. The Z95A OLED is available only in a 65-inch size, the Z85A OLED in 55-inch and 65-inch sizes. The W95A Mini LED is sold in sizes from 55 inches to 85 inches. They all feature Amazon’s Fire TV operating system and multiple viewing modes, including an excellent gaming mode.

The 65-inch Z95A will attract the attention of anyone wanting the very best, with its top-of-the-line OLED panel and built-in sound system tuned by Panasonic’s high-end audio brand Technics. The Z95A sound system allows you to fine-tune the sound and listening area, so you can be on one side of the couch watching television with audio while the person on the other side barely hears anything at all. Upwards and side-facing speakers create an immersive experience and some Z95A purchasers may find it unnecessary to buy an external soundbar, which could help offset some of the $3,199.99 price. That may seem like a bit much in this day of $500 mass-market 65-inch TVs, but $3,199.99 is comparable with other high-end OLED TVs. Hopefully bigger sizes will be available one day as well.

The Panasonic W95A Mini LED sets were also impressive, offering gorgeous picture quality with deep blacks, extreme sharpness and beautiful color. Prices range from $1,299.99 for the 55-inch model to $2,999.99 for the 85-inch version, which I especially liked. Panasonic’s new televisions will be released on Sept. 18 on the Amazon, Costco and Panasonic websites, and I will have more to report in upcoming columns.

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