[Digital Times, Kim Eun] Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics ranked # 1 and # 2 in the global TV market this year.

Especially, competition in the North American TV market is expected to intensify. The North American market has played an important role in Samsung and LG becoming the number one and second in the world TV market, and this year, it is expected that there will be a fight for premium TV in addition to Japanese and Chinese companies.

Samsung Electronics held a `QLED TV New Product Announcement Event` in New York on March 7 (local time).

Samsung Electronics presented four series and 16 models from 49 inches to 88 inches. The new model will be launched in the United States beginning on October 18th. Domestic will be released around mid-month.

Especially, Samsung Electronics will significantly strengthen its ultra-large 75-inch and larger products and strengthen its market penetration by launching large-size TV products such as 75-inch and 82-inch. Currently, demand for TVs over 75 inches is increasing by 30 ~ 40% every year. It is expected to grow to around 1.5 million globally this year. As of last year, Samsung TV was one of the two major TV markets. Han Jong-hee, president of Samsung Electronics` video display division, said, "The global market size is expected to reach 1.5 million units this year, More than doubled."

Samsung Electronics introduced the concept of `intelligent display`, saying that TV will evolve into a lifestyle-driven device, not just a video / audio device. The company said that the intelligent display means a video device that provides customized news and music services 24 hours a day without restrictions on the surrounding environment or content type.

On the other hand, LG Electronics unveiled a new `2018 OLED TV` on Oct. 5 using `Deep Thinking` on its AI platform. Seven of the 10 new models are larger than 65 inches. As the ultra-large 77-inch all-red TV is lowered to the price of 10 million won, it also predicted price competition with competitors. Also on the 20th of last month, LG Cologne, Berlin, Munich, etc. also opened `LG Road Show`, which introduces all-new TVs. From the middle of this month, Los Angeles and Madrid, Spain, USA will also hold `All Red Tech Seminar`.

In the case of North America, the largest TV market in the world, Samsung Electronics ranked first with 33% of the market share in the third quarter of last year. LG Electronics ranked second with 15.6% market share. The third place was Japan`s Sony, with a 12% market share.

The competition in the North American TV market is intensifying with the addition of Chinese companies. China`s high-end S & T and TCL accounted for 6.9% and 7% share respectively in the North American TV market in the third quarter of last year. In particular, HiSense is establishing its market position by signing a trademark license agreement with Sharp in North America.

An expert in the industry said, "Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are confronted with ultra-high-quality premium products while Chinese companies are intensifying their efforts to catch up with the North American market to make up for the decline in demand in the domestic market."


By Kim Eun silverkim@


[ copyright ⓒ The Digitaltimes ]