Worldwide plasma TV shipments rose 87 percent year-over-year while falling 26 percent quarter-over-quarter to 1.7 million units in the first quarter of the year, according to new market research and consulting firm DisplaySearch.
Plasma TVs remained dominant compared to other TV technologies in the 40- to 44in segment with a 65 percent share, down from 68 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005, and gained share at 50-to 54in rising from 29 percent to 33 percent. With plasma module supply tight and larger sizes and higher resolutions gaining share, blended plasma TV prices rose 2 percent sequentially while falling 25 percent Y/Y to $2353.
Regionally, North America, China and rest of world gained share at the expense of Europe and Japan. Japan’s plasma TV shipments rose 77 percent year over year, but were down 51 percent quarter over quarter. Unlike other regions, 37in was the most popular size with more than a 50 percent share. North America’s plasma TV shipments rose 85 percent Y/Y, but were down 17 percent Q/Q, earning a 32 percent share of the global plasma TV market, up from 28 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005. Forty-two- and 43in HD led with a 42 percent share, up from 39 percent. The 50in share in North America was three times higher than in any other region, and North America accounted for 64 percent of the world’s 50in plasma TV shipments.
The rest of world — excluding Europe and China — was the only region where plasma TV shipments increased sequentially, rising 2 percent quarter over quarter and 141 percent year over year.
For more information, visit: www.displaysearch.com.
