LCD TVs to Regain Steam in 2014 on Brighter Economic Prospects

After declining in 2013, the global market for LCD TVs is expected to regain steam in 2014 mainly on optimistic economic outlook in developed nations, according to WitsView Technology Corp., a Taiwanese LCD market research firm.

WitsView estimates global LCD TV shipment at  approximately 203 million units for 2013,  down 1.7% yearly, due to global economic doldrums and China stopping subsidizing local consumers' purchases of household appliances. However, it is likely to rebound by 3% to 209 million units in 2014, when economies in Europe, the U.S. and Japan may gain momentum.

Based on different brands' announced sales goals for 2014, WitsView projects Chinese brands to together attain a 7-8% surge in overall sales to push collective global market share to 27-28%; Japanese vendors to post a comparatively sluggish growth of about 3% for a market share of 18-19%; and Korean suppliers to enjoy a 5-6% sales increase and maintain a dominant share of around 36%.

As to penetration by screen sizes, the research firm forecasts that 50-inch-and-above LCD TVs will increasingly account for 15-17% of the total in 2014 compared to an estimate of 12% of 2013; and the share of 40-to-49-inch models will increase to 23% from 18.5%.

Meanwhile, WitsVeiw predicts 3D LCD TVs to make up 26-28% of the global market in 2014; 4K2K-resolution models to share 8.1% (equivalent to 16-18 million units), sharply surging from only 1% (about 2.1-2.2 million units) of 2013; and smart models to account for 36% (76 million units) compared to 28% (56.9 million units).

Debuted in 2013 as a new trend, curved LCD TVs, the research firm added, will explosively increase to command a 1-1.4% share in 2014, when world's major brands, including Samsung, LG and Sony, will step up  promotions in the segment, while display panels makers, such as LG Display and AU Optronics, will continually kick off mass production during February-March to support vendors.

Plus, WitsView opines that a penetration rate of LED-backlit LCD TVs will keep swelling to 99-100% in 2014, 65-70% of which being direct-lit models. (SC)

Sales Goals by World's Major LCD TV Brands for 2014
Brand	Sales Target
Samsung	47 million units
LG	32 million units
Sony	15 million units
Toshiba	11 million units
Sharp	10 million units
Philips	10 million units
Panasonic	10 million units
Vizio	7.5 million units
Funai	7 million units

Source: WitsView Technology Corp.