TV set shipments decreased in 2011, and it hasn't reached bottom yet

IMS Research estimates the TV set market experienced a slight decrease in shipments during 2011 when compared to 2010, and forecasts the biggest drop in TV set unit shipments will occur in 2012

AUSTIN, Texas — Global market research firm IMS Research (recently acquired by IHS Inc. (NYSE:IHS)) has updated its TV Set Shipments and Forecast Database with new information regarding TV set shipments split by technology, screen size, and feature in addition to TV households split by reception platform in 70 countries. Furthermore, this database includes forecasts for several key TV types, including LED-LCDs, 3DTVs and connected TVs.

Estimates indicate that worldwide TV set unit shipments during 2011 were 0.4 percent lower than in 2010, and the forecast indicates that the TV set market will experience another dip in shipments during 2012. According to Veronica Thayer, market analyst for the TV Set Shipments and Forecast Database, “After Japan’s Eco-points program ended, TV sales in the country started to rapidly decline and we expect them to return to the lower pre-2010 figures in the next two years, which is almost half of the TVs sold in the country during 2011.” Japan’s decline in TV set shipments during 2011 had a great impact on total worldwide unit shipments.

Thayer also adds: “The accelerated growth in the emerging markets will be the key to offset a weakening TV market in developed regions during the next five years.” IMS Research expects a turnaround in 2013, with continuous growth in TV set shipments through 2016, boosted by the increase in unit shipments in Latin America, parts of Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Latin America is expected to experience the fastest growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5 percent during the forecast period.

Recent updates also show that demand for LED-backlit LCD televisions has continued to sharply increase worldwide. LED-LCD TV shipments nearly doubled during 2011. IMS Research expects that the price gap between CCFL backlight and LED backlight televisions will close in the next five years, resulting in LED-backlit LCD TVs dominating the market by 2016. Additional features such as 3D and Internet-connectivity also started gaining more presence during 2011, with Connected TVs showing significant uptake among consumers. IMS Research forecasts that during 2016, approximately 40 percent of the TV sets shipped worldwide will have 3D capabilities and close to 70 percent will connect to the internet.

About the TV Set Shipments and Forecast Database

This online database service provides detailed and comprehensive analysis of the worldwide television market. It is updated quarterly throughout the year and more frequently if significant market changes occur. In addition to historical and current year statistics, forecasts are provided for the next 5 years. The TV households are segmented by reception method, and the TV set statistics are sub-divided by technology (CRT, LCD, LED-LCD, PDP, Projection, and OLED), by screen size, and by feature (iDTV, 3DTV, Connected TV).