103-inch TV costs $70,000

COLIN SMITH/Nelson Mail

103 INCHES: Harvey Norman Nelson salesman John Cattell with the 103-inch Panasonic TV which has a price tag of $69,999.

Got a spare $70,000 and don't know what to spend it on?

If you've always fancied footy on the big screen or seeing larger-than-life soap stars, this beauty could be just the ticket.

The 103-inch (2.6-metre) Panasonic plasma screen television is on show at Nelson's new Harvey Norman store, carrying a price tag of a cool $69,999.

Panasonic regional sales manager Brad Dexter believed it was the largest TV screen in production which is available in New Zealand, although a whopping 150-inch Panasonic television was about to be launched in Japan.

With a full high-definition panel, the 103-inch model had the best picture quality in the New Zealand market, he said.

Its price tag was also based on its sheer size, and the fact it was not mass-produced meant production costs were higher.

Panasonic had a couple of the 103-inch televisions in New Zealand, which were moved around for special events, he said.

If someone was seriously interested in ordering one, Panasonic would send a representative to their home or business for a site inspection to ensure there was sufficient space and that if it was to be wall-mounted, the walls were strong enough.

He said some had been sold to businesses and households in other parts of the country.

Harvey Norman Nelson electrical proprietor Brian Lee said no-one had yet ordered one of the huge televisions, but it had generated plenty of interest among shoppers. It will be at Harvey Norman until next week.

As for Mr Lee's thoughts on the $69,999 cost?

"We can do a deal on that," he laughed.