DisplaySearch announced it forecasts that over half of all Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) television panels produced this year will incorporate Light Emitting Diode (LED) backlights.

For more information visit: www.displaysearch.com

Unedited press release follows:

Large-Area TFT LCD Makers Targeting 53% LED Backlight Penetration for TV Panels in 2011

In 2010, LG Display Led in Shipments of LED-Backlit TV Panels, While Samsung Led in Revenues

Santa Clara, California, February 28, 2011—Global shipments of LCD TV panels with LED backlights reached a high of 16.6 million units in Q4’10, with strong growth in edge-lit configurations. According to the latest DisplaySearch Quarterly Large-Area TFT LCD Shipment–Advanced LED Report, panel makers are targeting rapid penetration increases for LED backlights in LCD TV panels, growing from 36% in Q1’11 to 62% in Q4’11 for an overall penetration of 53% for 2011. For the year 2010, penetration reached 21%, up from 2% in the previous year.

“Despite some buildup of LED-backlit TV panel inventories in the second half of 2010, the industry has recognized that LED backlighting is an irreversible trend, with benefits such as lower power consumption and slimness,” noted David Hsieh, DisplaySearch Vice President and research leader for large-area panels. “This has encouraged LCD TV panel makers to reduce LED backlighting costs continuously in order to increase shipments.”

The growing awareness of LEDs among consumers has encouraged panel makers to increase LED performance. DisplaySearch expects that LED penetration will pass 50% and become the mainstream for LCD TV backlights.

Hsieh added, “This does not mean that CCFL will no longer be in demand, as there are still many end users and emerging markets that are very price sensitive. It’s important for the industry to maintain support for CCFL panels.”

Table 1: LCD TV Panel Shipments by Backlight Type

Source: DisplaySearch Quarterly Large-Area TFT LCD Shipment –Advanced LED Report

The highest penetration of LED backlights in LCD TV panels was in the 50” to 60” segment. In Q4’10, LED backlight penetration was 76% in 50-54” LCD TV panels, 67% in 55-59,” and 87% in 60”+. In the 46-47” segment, LED backlight penetration was 54% in Q4’10. In the 40-42” and 32” segments, LED backlight penetration was 37% and 17%, respectively.

Nearly all LCD TV panel makers are focusing on edge-type LED backlights in TV panels, with the exception being Sharp, which is producing direct type as well. As the following figure shows, LG Display led in LED-backlit LCD TV panel shipments in Q4’10, shipping more than 5 million units for a 31.1% share. Sharp closely followed with 21.5%, then Samsung with 20.8%, and AUO with 14.2%. In terms of LED-backlit LCD TV panel revenues, Sharp and Samsung were tied with 27.3%; LG Display followed with 25.1%, and AUO with 13.9%

Figure 1: LED-Backlit LCD TV Panel Shipment Share (Q4’10)

Source: DisplaySearch Quarterly Large-Area TFT LCD Shipment–Advanced LED Report

The Quarterly Large-Area TFT LCD Shipment-Advanced LED Report covers the entire range of large-area panels shipped worldwide and by region, with LED-backlit panels featured. With 100% coverage of panel makers and authored by industry experts, the Quarterly Large-Area TFT LCD Shipment analyzes historical shipments and forecast projections to provide some of the most detailed information and insights available. The report is delivered in Excel pivot tables, flex spreadsheet and PowerPoint analysis. For more information, contact Charles Camaroto at 1.888.436.7673 or 1.516.625.2452, e-mail contact@displaysearch.com or contact your regional DisplaySearch office in China, Japan, Korea or Taiwan.

About DisplaySearch
Since 1996, DisplaySearch has been recognized as a leading global market research and consulting firm specializing in the display supply chain, as well as the emerging photovoltaic/solar cell industries. DisplaySearch provides trend information, forecasts and analyses developed by a global team of experienced analysts with extensive industry knowledge. In collaboration with the NPD Group, its parent company, DisplaySearch uniquely offers a true end-to-end view of the display supply chain from materials and components to shipments of electronic devices with displays to sales of major consumer and commercial channels. For more information on DisplaySearch analysts, reports and industry events, visit us at http://www.displaysearch.com/. Read our blog at http://www.displaysearchblog.com/ and follow us on Twitter at @DisplaySearch.

About The NPD Group, Inc.
The NPD Group is the leading provider of reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,800 manufacturers, retailers, and service companies rely on NPD to help them drive critical business decisions at the global, national, and local market levels. NPD helps our clients to identify new business opportunities and guide product development, marketing, sales, merchandising, and other functions. Information is available for the following industry sectors: automotive, beauty, commercial technology, consumer technology, entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, foodservice, home, office supplies, software, sports, toys, and wireless. For more information, contact us or visit http://www.npd.com/ and http://www.npdgroupblog.com/. Follow us on Twitter at @npdtech and @npdgroup