Menlo Park, CA–Pacific Media Associates, global market information experts on large-screen displays, has reported that unit sales for rear-projection televisions in North America fell again this past May, with unit sales down 12 percent against April sales. The May 2007 RPTV Sell-Through Tracking Service report also shows unit sales are up six percent compared with May 2006, but revenues were down 21 percent between the two periods.
As expected, the bulk of the sales were for the larger sizes, according to Rosemary Abowd, vice president with Pacific Media. On a unit basis, 75 percent of the models sold were 55 inches or larger. Consumers continue to prefer flat panel HDTVs, and falling prices for LCD and plasma models have erased rear projections price advantage in the smaller sizes.
The most popular segment in terms of unit market share was the 60- to 69-inch DLP 1080p group of products, accounting for one in five units sold in May. Aggressive pricing on close-out models from Toshiba helped increase sales.
Sony took top honors for the month, with a unit market share approaching 30 percent, and a 34 percent revenue market share. Strong sales of the XBR2 and A2020 Series SXRD models helped them gain the top spot. Samsung was second and Mitsubishi third, in both unit and revenue shares. The best-selling model was the Toshiba 65HM167, which had an average street price of $1,624.
