Worldwide TV shipments of all kinds were up 12 percent in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period last year, according to a new 3Q report from researcher DisplaySearch. With higher-priced micro-display rear projection sets gaining share, the firm said in a statement that revenue growth continued to outpace unit growth with revenue up 19 percent for 3Q 2005. As a result, the average selling price for all sets (notably, including rock-bottom NTSC unit prices) rose from last year to $439.
Flat panel's unit share (LCD and plasma) of all units sold rose from 6 percent in 3Q 2004 and 13 percent in 2Q 2005 to 16 percent in 3Q 2005, on growth in the past year of 153 percent. While accounting for a minority of units sold, flat panels nonetheless earned the most revenue for the first time with a 55-percent share in 3Q 2005, up from 48 percent in the previous quarter.
In shipments by technology:
LCD shipments rose 156 percent to a record 5.5 million units and a 13 percent share of the global TV market. Steadily decreasing prices was the chief reason cited.
Plasma grew 143 percent to a record 1.6 million units and a 3.6 percent market share. Significant price declines, particularly from early September onward, supported the strong growth.
CRT unit shipments declined 8-percent in the past year but managed to still sell 35.5 million units (analog and digital). There is no shortage of 4:3 analog CRTs on U.S. store shelves for the current holiday season.
In terms of worldwide shipments and revenues, Samsung remains at the top of the heap on a revenue basis. In a statement, DisplaySearch said Samsung has earned this position due to its strong position in each technology--although it did not lead in any single technology. On a unit-sold basis, Samsung was second in CRT, MD RPTV and CRT RPTV and third in plasma and LCD. DisplaySearch said while Panasonic was number seven on a unit basis, it was second in overall revenue "due to its dominant plasma position."
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