Samsung Reclaims Top LCD TV Share In North America; Vizio Overtakes Sony For #2 In Total Flat Panel Share

[The following is a release from DisplaySearch]

May 19, 2008

After Sony posted the top LCD TV share in Q4’07, Samsung edged slightly higher to retake the #1 LCD TV ranking in North America for the first time since Q1’07, rising to 12.8% unit share in a very competitive category. Samsung maintained their share lead in combined flat panel TV comprising shipments of both LCD and Plasma TVs, according to preliminary findings from DisplaySearch’s latest Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report. Other flat panel TV highlights from Q1’08 include LCD TV was a highly competitive category in Q1’08 with the top three brands—Samsung, Sony and Vizio—separated by less than half a point of unit share at 12.8%, 12.6% and 12.5%, respectively. Panasonic commanded the top share in Plasma TV by a large margin, accounting for 33% of Q1’08 shipments; #2 LG had over 19%, down from their 38% share in Q4’07. Panasonic shipped the first 46” 1080p plasma models in Q1’08 to the North American market. Vizio posted their strongest combined flat panel TV share to date, rising from 10.3% in Q4’07 to 12.2% in Q1’08, overtaking Sony for #2 with distribution in the US only (rather than US and Canada like most other brands) and benefiting from and LCD + Plasma product strategy. Vizio also had the strongest Y/Y growth of any top five flat panel TV brand. Sony dropped to #2 in LCD TV and to #3 in combined flat panel TV after an exceptionally strong Q4’07. Sony did, however, leverage a strong focus on larger sizes to maintain a leadership position in 40” and larger LCD TVs, which they have held for 10 straight quarters. Sony's focus on larger sizes and typically higher average selling price will likely lead to a #1 revenue share position in LCD TV for the quarter. LGE moved up one position in Plasma as well as LCD TV, overtaking Samsung for #2 in plasma and replacing Polaroid as the #5 brand on a unit basis in LCD TV. LGE had the strongest Y/Y growth of any plasma brand and second strongest growth in LCD among the top five. LCD TVs posted solid shipment growth in Q1’08, beating estimates and climbing 59% higher than Q1’07. Plasma growth turned negative though, falling 9% Y/Y in Q1’08 after growth had finally turned positive again in Q4’07. Overall, flat panel TVs grew 47% Y/Y as a weak US economy in Q1’08 didn’t seem to deter consumers or retail TV buyers.

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