2008 Sees LCD TV Demand Decline

We love our TVs, but with impending economic apocalypse shipments and sales of LCD TVs in Q4 2008 actually fell. Customers opted to keep their old televisions instead of upgrading to newer, prettier, skinnier ones.



According to DispaySearch, a company that specialized in display (TV) marketing and research, global television shipments fell 5% and total revenue dipped by 3%.

Most of the declines are attributed to the economy in some way or another. Total revenue was affected because retailers were dropping prices to move product, afraid they would be left with overstock after the holidays. Apparently, the term "buyer's market" is applicable by more industries than just real estate.

However, there is good news for the "bigger is better" crowd. Consumers that were purchasing televisions were going for screens in the 40 inches plus market. Sales of TVs with large displays actually saw a significant amount of growth in 2008 compared to 2007.

The demand for super sized screens at a cheaper price is great for the plasma market. Consumers can get a great picture with... wait, how many companies discontinued their plasma lines in 2008?

This all may sound like gloom and doom for the TV manufacturers, especially with announcements from companies like Pioneer, but that isn't stopping some; Sony just announced it is releasing 6 new LCD lines. It seems Sony is determined to take over the television viewing word.

Not to worry TV lovers, the economy will bounce back and soon we will have movie theater size TVs in our homes. And if OLED ever gets its feet off the ground you can have TV wall paper. Until then, just get your converter box coupon and wait out the storm.

While you're waiting read some of our blogs:

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