LCD war hots up in Olympics run-up

Falling prices, new features will also push sales

TAIPEI: Demand for LCD TVs is likely to rise to a fever pitch next year as consumers across the world upgrade their televisions to enjoy the Beijing Olympics games, according to market research firm iSuppli Corp.

In 2008, global shipments of LCD TV panels are expected to rise to 102.5 million units, up 27% from 2007, marking the first time shipments have surpassed the 100 million mark, iSuppli said in a statement on Saturday.

Beyond the Olympics, the likely huge growth will be fuelled by factors like falling prices, performance improvements and national transitions to Digital TV broadcast.

However, amid rising panel output, iSuppli said LCD suppliers are likely to face an oversupply if LCD TV sales fail to meet the industry’s high expectations.

“By the end of 2008, newer large-sized LCD fabs will commence production, an event that could result in greater panel output,” said Sweta Dash, director of LCD and projection research at iSuppli.

“Whether this production increase will represent a boon or a detriment for the LCD panel suppliers will depend largely on just how much television demand the Olympics actually generates.”

A recovery is under way in the LCD market, dominated by Samsung Electronics, LG.Philips LCD of South Korea and AU Optronics Corp and Chi Mei Optoelectronics in Taiwan.