Annual global LCD TV shipments declined for the first time ever in 2012, down 1 percent to 203 million, according to the latest findings published in the NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report. Q4 was the only quarter to see any growth, rising 0.6 percent, but it was not enough to offset declines from the first three quarters. The preliminary outlook for LCD TV growth in 2013 is cautious, despite significant reductions in demand for plasma and CRT TV and global economic conditions that continue to be challenging.

“Global demand for LCD TVs declined 18 percent Y/Y in developed regions in 2012, and the growth in emerging markets was not nearly enough to offset this decline in some of the world’s highest volume regions,” observed Paul Gagnon, director of global TV research for NPD DisplaySearch. “Economic conditions certainly had an impact on demand, but a very mild price erosion also played a role, as global average selling prices for flat panel TVs fell a mere 2 percent Y/Y in 2012 compared to a 5 percent decline in 2011 and double digit declines in 2010.”

Total global TV shipments fell over 6 percent Y/Y in 2012, from 249 million to 233 million. On a regional basis, North America shipments were essentially flat in comparison to 2011, with the US accounting for 89.7 percent of North American volume according to new data available from NPD DisplaySearch. However, shipments to both Japan and Western Europe fell sharply, declining 68 percent and 15 percent Y/Y, respectively. China was once again the world’s largest market for TV shipments, with demand rising 6 percent to nearly 52 million, signaling the first time any region has reached an annual volume of more than 50 million. Growth slowed in the other emerging regions, including Asia Pacific, MEA, and Latin America, all of which declined in volume. Eastern Europe was the only region with strong growth in 2012, rising 17 percent Y/Y in volume as analog to digital transitions drove purchasing.

Source: NPD DisplaySearch Quarterly Advanced Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report

Samsung Reaches New Flat Panel TV Revenue Share Record in 2012

Samsung’s global flat panel TV revenue share reached a new record high of 27.7 percent in 2012, up from 25 percent in 2011, with total flat panel TV revenues increasing 6 percent Y/Y. LGE ranked second in 2012, with the company’s shipments accounting for 15 percent of global flat panel TV revenues and also enjoying revenue growth during the year.

Japanese brands Sony, Panasonic and Sharp rounded out the top 5 global flat panel TV brands on a revenue basis, but their collective share declined 6 percent in 2012. The revenue share for all Japanese brands fell by over 8 percent as their focus shifted from volume to profits. Japanese TV brands have also been hit hard by the massive decline in the Japanese TV market. Chinese TV brands experienced strong growth in 2012, because domestic growth was strong, but they also gained share outside of China. Collectively, Chinese TV brands accounted for more than 20 percent of global flat panel TV revenues and are aggressively targeting expansion overseas.