Research firm revises forecast for shipments of LCD televisions

International Herald Tribune: The market research firm IDC last week trimmed its forecast for global LCD television shipments this year because of the economic slowdown, but said lower prices should spur fresh demand next year.

The U.S.-based firm now predicts that unit shipments of flat-screen LCD TVs will hit 95 million this year, down 4 percent from the 99 million units it projected previously, but the shipments could grow at least 15 percent in 2009.

“Given the expected continued aggressive average sales price decline for next year, I still think there’s going to be a robust demand,” said Eric Haruki, a research director at IDC. Haruki said some big TV vendors, including Sony and Samsung Electronics, have lowered prices of their TVs since the beginning of the year after panel prices weakened.

IDC also said major LCD panel makers, including AU Optronics and Chi Mei Optoelectronics, both of Taiwan, should continue to cut production or they could face a severe supply glut next year.

read more