Megatrends
The most influential Megatrends set to shape the world through 2030, identified by Euromonitor International, help businesses better anticipate market developments and lead change for their industries.
Learn MoreBy the end of 2008, Mitsubishi Electric Corp was the only manufacturer left in rear projection televisions (RPTVs) as Sony Corp and Samsung Corp ceased production. Four years later, the last remaining manufacturer announced the cessation of production of its line of DLP rear projection TVs. This technology was best-suited for large applications. Mitsubishi’s 2012 line up ranged from 73” to 92” behemoths and was positioned as the best value for money proposition for consumers looking for televisions of that size. However, as LCD panels became cheaper and more efficient in large televisions, this value proposition started to erode and sales started to decline. Much of the same can be said about plasma TVs. This begs the question of when the last of the major manufacturers will cease production of plasma TVs, namely Samsung Corp, LG Corp and Panasonic Corp. This is most likely to occur by the end of 2014.
Plasma and RPTV bear a number of similarities in terms of advantages, shortcomings, and positioning, which is why we expect plasma to be the next projection technology to reach its end-of-life.
Source: Euromonitor International
The combination of factors made both technologies transitional steps that filled niche roles in the transition from CRT to LCD TVs.
Panasonic Corp found itself in a difficult financial position at the end of 2012, largely because of losses incurred by its television business. While LG Corp and Samsung Corp are in a better overall financial position, their TV divisions are underperforming. This makes it very likely that all three manufacturers will sell-off or restructure their TV business operations within the next two years. With stagnating global volume sales and declining constant value sales expected for plasma TVs for 2013 and 2014, it is likely that this technology will not survive restructuring efforts by the major manufacturers.