The Share of LED-Backlit Sets Is Predicted to Reach 70%

The share of LED-backlit sets is predicted to reach 70% of total LCD TV shipments to the China market this year with the possibility of reaching 100% in 2013 as industry firms are looking to discontinue production of CCFL TVs, according to industry sources. Sources said that companies will be heavily promoting energy efficient products and LED TVs during this year's summer Olympics in London, which is expected to bring further awareness of the LED industry. Firms such as Samsung Electronics will be promoting low-end direct backlit LED TVs in China's market with prices nearly as low as the company's previous CCFL models in order to stay competitive, added the sources. About 8.52 million LCD TVs were sold in China during the first quarter, a decrease of 18% on year. LED-backlit models' share of shipments amounted to 60%, and the proportion is expected to rise to 70% by the end of the year. The LCD TV market in China may receive a boost in the second quarter from the Chinese government's reproted move to give its citizens stipends to purchase energy efficient products later this year. Taiwan-based LCD panel maker AU Optronics (AUO) stated that LCD TV sales in China are slowing down because rural markets make up a large portion of China's market. Sources from China noted that although CCFLs do have a price advantage over LED TVs at present, the price range between the two will shrink to 10% by the end of this year. Source: www.digitimes.com