• by Wayne Friedman , November 6, 2013

Continuing recessionary economies mean another troubling year for television unit sales.

The expectation is that the TV set market will decline 5% for 2013 to shipments of 226.7 million TVs, according to IHS’ Worldwide TV Tracker, a business research group. Earlier estimates predicted a 2% drop in 2013. All this follows a 7% decline in 2012.

The research says every type of television will see declines -- including the major categories of liquid-crystal display (LCD), plasma TV, cathode-ray tube (CRT) and rear projection.

“A wide range of factors are conspiring to undermine television shipments in 2013, from economic weakness and market saturation of flat-panel TVs in mature regions to plunging CRT sales in developing countries,” stated Jusy Hong, senior analyst for consumer electronics & technology at IHS.
 
Both mature and emerging markets have witnessed declines: Western European and Japanese TV countries have been decreasing for three consecutive years since 2010. The North American market has seen declines for two years.

Starting in 2014, IHS expects a small turnaround, with the global television market projected to rise 1% to 229 million units.

"TV Sets" photo from Shutterstock.

advertisement

advertisement