• by Wayne Friedman , October 24, 2012

Following relatively flat global economic growth, projected TV set sales are also expected to be flat next year -- a slight improvement over 2012. NPD DisplaySearch estimates that by the end of this year, TV shipments are poised to be at 237 million, a decline of more than 4% versus 2011.

Typical price drops -- which consumers expect -- have slowed.

Paul Gagnon, director, North American TV Research at NPD DisplaySearch, states: "... 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.”

Consumers will continue to demand bigger screens. The study says shipments of 50” and larger screen sizes are expected to climb 13% next year, compared with just 1% growth of 40" to 49” TV sets and a 2% decline in shipments of 40” and smaller sizes.

At the same time, mobile/portable screens -- from tablets and smartphones -- will eat into mid-size TV screens.

LCD TV shipments will continue to grow throughout the forecast, while demand for CRT and plasma TVs declines. New OLED technology TV sets will continue to make inroads. NPD DisplaySearch expects 50,000 OLED TV shipments next year, growing to 9 million by 2016.

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