TL;DRPanasonic Projector & Display Corporation has acquired UK-based HIVE Media Control, maker of the BeeBlade SDM media server platform. The deal accelerates Panasonic’s shift from hardware manufacturer to integrated visual solutions provider under its MEVIX brand, targeting the growing immersive experience market.
Panasonic Projector & Display Corporation has acquired 100% of the issued shares of UK-based HIVE Media Control, the company behind the award-winning BeeBlade media server platform. The deal signals a decisive shift in Panasonic’s strategy, moving it from a projector and display manufacturer into what it calls a “broader visual solutions ecosystem provider,” encompassing software, workflow tools, and integrated media delivery.
The acquisition, announced on 19 May 2026, places HIVE’s technology at the centre of Panasonic’s MEVIX brand, the visual solutions sub-brand it launched in 2025 as part of its pivot from pure hardware to end-to-end visual experiences. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
What HIVE brings to the table
HIVE’s flagship product is BeeBlade, a compact media engine built on Intel’s Smart Display Module (SDM) standard. Rather than requiring racks of external servers and tangled cabling, BeeBlade slots directly into the SDM bay of compatible projectors, direct-view LED displays, and professional screens. The result is a dramatically smaller infrastructure footprint, fewer external devices, and a streamlined installation process that reduces both cost and energy consumption.
