Shipments of LCD televisions is estimated to have increased by 7 percent in 2014 to reach 223 million units, according to DisplaySearch, which was recently acquired by IHS Inc., the publisher of Electronics 360. Further unit growth of 7 percent is expected in 2015 to take the shipments to 239 million units in 2015.
In 2012 unit shipments fell on an annual basis and in 2013 shipment growth was just over 2 percent as consumers took a break from upgrading their televisions and bought tablet computers while altering their viewing habits.
The market has returned to what DisplaySearch considers to be sustainable growth trends.
Worldwide LCD TV unit shipments per annum. Source: DisplaySearch.
However with increased screen sizes, higher definition programming and a replacement cycle for CRT televisions in Asia there was a return to LCD television in 2014, according to Paul Gagnon, director of TV research for DisplaySearch.
The latest Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report from DisplaySearch shows that LCD TV shipments from manufacturers to retailers was particularly strong in the third quarter in North America and Asia-Pacific.
"Growth in these regions is driven by a new wave of replacement activity, with North American consumers replacing older flat-panel TVs and consumers in India and other Asia-Pacific countries replacing CRT TVs," said Gagnon, in a statement.
The average LCD television screen size was 39 inches in 2014 up 1.5 inches over 2013. The shift to larger sizes has also resulted in strong demand for 4K LCD TVs, which are expected to grow more than 50 percent in 2105, to more than 32 million units or more than 13 percent of the market.
In 2014 in North America year-over-year LCD shipments increased nearly 24 percent in the third quarter. "Very strong growth in North America in recent quarters warrants careful observation, to ensure an inventory glut doesn’t materialize, due to overzealous buying and selling at the manufacturer to retailer level," Gagnon said.
Related links and articles:
Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report
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