Advanced Television

Global TV set demand flat in 2013

October 26, 2012

With consumers all across the globe facing continued economic uncertainty, global TV demand is expected to be flat in 2013, after shipments of all TV types declined by more than 4 per cent in 2012, to 237 million, according to NPD DisplaySearch’s quarterly global TV shipment and forecast report.

“Worldwide demand for TVs continues to face pressure from external factors, such as slowing economic growth, high unemployment rates, and the rising household penetration of flat panel TVs,” noted Paul Gagnon, Director, North American TV Research at NPD DisplaySearch. “At the same time, internal factors, such as slower cost reductions and a greater focus on profits at the expense of volume, are leading to a lower level of retail price erosion, which is also impacting demand.”

Despite the slower overall growth rate of shipments, the industry continues to show progress in the advancement of larger screen sizes and advanced display technologies like LED backlights and 3D. Shipments of 50” and larger screen sizes are expected to rise 13 per cent in 2013, compared with just 1 per cent growth of 40-49” and a 2 per cent decline in shipments of 40” and smaller sizes. Demand for smaller sizes will start to compete with TV viewing on the larger and higher resolution displays found in mobile devices such as tablet PCs and smartphones. At the same time, a large group of flat panel TV adopters will be upgrading from 32” LCD TVs to 40” and larger sizes.

In the long term, as the TV replacement cycle shifts from the flat panel replacement of CRTs, to flat panel upgrades, here is potential for renewed growth, especially as new features become more affordable. LCD TV shipments will continue growing throughout the forecast while demand for CRT and plasma TVs declines.

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