According to TrendForce division WitsView, global TV shipments total 219 million units in 2018-- a 4.1% increase as the market recovers from a weak 2017. Looking ahead, the analyst expects shipments to increase by 1.6% in 2019 to reach 223m units.
“The year 2018 has witnessed replacement demand in emerging markets such as Latin America driven by the World Cup,” the analyst says. "The steady economy situation in N. America was also favorable for the recovery of global TV demand. TV brands were willing to offer promotions as well, considering the downward trends in overall TV panel prices last year."
2019 should see a more steady supply of large-size panels, as vendors kick off more production capacity. The CSOT Gen 11 fab, HKC Gen 8.6 fb and Sharp Gen 10.5 fab in Guangzhou are set to enter the market at the beginning, middle and end of the year respectively. Such production capacity will bring decreases in panel prices, not to mention cheaper large-screen TVs, meaning the industry will seek constant spec improvements to create both brand value and differentiation to products.