SEOUL: Korean consumer electronics giant LG is shooting to sell 3.8 million HDTVs within the next couple of years. LG’s chief technical officer told the Korean Times the company intends to raise its global market share by 50 percent next year by selling 400,000 3DTV sets, and by selling 3.4 million 3DTVs in 2011. Baek Woo-hyun said the company expects 3DTV sets up comprise 10 percent of its overall TV sales.
LG also just announced a partnership with Korea’s direct broadcast satellite operator, SkyLife. The two signed a memo of understanding for a strategic partnership to develop the 3DTV industry in that nation. LG rolled out Korea’s first 3D-capapable, LCD TV set in August. SkyLife will be running a second 3D content trial in January. The first was in October.
SkyLife chief Mong-ryong Lee said the company intends to invest US$25 million in creating 3D content in collaboration with LG. The FIS Snowboard World Cup will be the inaugural event.
For its part, LG plans to roll out 3DTVs ranging in size from 42- to 72-inches in 2010. The LCD set introduced in August had a 47-inch screen. LG will focus on North America and Europe next year, and launch 3DTVs in Sough and Central American and Asia in 2011. Greater global expansion is expected in the following year with at least some 3D coverage of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
LG noted that interest in 3DTV is keen. As many as 58 percent of consumers surveyed said they wanted to buy a 3DTV, and about 75 percent had seen 3D content and wanted to see it again.
DisplaySearch says the market for 3DTVs will reach $1.1 billion next year, $2.8 billion in 2011 and $4.6 billion by 2012.
