TV shipments climbed 4% YoY in Q3’14, following several quarters of low results – average TV shipment growth was less than 1% on both a unit and revenue basis in the first half of the year. LCD TV shipments barely compensated for falling plasma and CRT shipments. However, LCD TVs were up almost 9% in Q3’14, and 12% in North America, says DisplaySearch.
Shipments of LCD TVs from China were up 9%, comparing favourably to a soft period last year following the end of government subsidies. APAC results were also fairly strong, led by India, where the economy is steadily improving. Favourable currency valuations are making LCD TVs affordable to a wider group of Indian consumers.
“Consumption for primary TVs is entering a renewed replacement cycle in some key regions, while adoption of larger screens and 4k and other higher resolutions will keep consumers upgrading”, said DisplaySearch’s Paul Gagnon.
UltraHD TV shipments have risen rapidly in 2014, due to broader competition and lower price points. Falling prices have led to new consumer groups entering the UltraHD TV market. Shipments of these units were up more than 500% YoY in Q3, exceeding 3 million units and bringing total annual shipments to 6.4 million.
The majority of UltraHD TV growth is taking place in China, which shipped more than 60% of these products in Q3. The region also consumed 13% of the world’s UltraHD TVs, leading the market. Western Europe (6% share) followed. Local Chinese brands are now ‘fiercely’ competing with Samsung (which is pushing for growth in China) in the UltraHD TV market. Samsung leads all UltraHD brands in the country. The company’s shipments also represented 36% of UltraHD TV revenues worldwide in Q3.
