LCD HDTV Prices to Plunge? By Phillip Swann TVPredictions.com
http://www.tvpredictions.com/lcdprices092310.htm Washington, D.C. (September 23, 2010) -- Flat-screen LCD HDTV prices are expected to drop at least five percent in the next few weeks, says DisplaySearch, as reported by CNN. The research firm says the lower prices will be triggered by an oversupply of LCD TV panels. DisplaySearch added that by year's end, LCD set prices could be 12 percent lower than they were a year ago. LCD TV makers have known about the oversupply, but were hoping that an increase in sales would eliminate the need to drop prices before and during the holiday shopping season. "Manufacturers were playing a game of chicken, hoping demand would be there and reluctant to be the first one to let prices fall," said Paul Gagnon, director of TV research at DisplaySearch. "Only recently did they come to the shocking realization that prices needed to fall. That will have a good impact on holiday sales." iSuppli, another research firm, predicts that 32-inch LCD HDTVs will average between $249 and $299 on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, known as the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Some 32-inch sets will be as low as $199. Most 32-inch LCD sets now cost between $300 and $450. CNN writes that DisplaySearch says the oversupply of LCD panels was caused by slow demand for flat-screen TVs in 2010. However, the group says, the coming lower prices could dramatically boost sales. -- ======================================== George Antunes, Political Science Dept University of Houston; Houston, TX 77204 Voice: 713-743-3923 Fax: 713-743-3927 Mail: antunes at uh dot edu _______________________________________________ Medianews mailing list [email protected] http://lists.etskywarn.net/mailman/listinfo/medianews
