David Becker
Gear

Sharp Loses Flat-Screen TV Lead

Sharp is no longer the big kahuna in flat-panel TVs, according to new surveys. Reports from researchers iSuppli and NPD Group’s DisplaySearch conclude that Sharp, which has led the flat-panel market for several years, was eclipsed by Samsung in 2006. ISuppli said Samsung accounted for 14.6 percent of flat-panel TV shipments worldwide, with Royal Philips […]

Sharp is no longer the big kahuna in flat-panel TVs, according to new surveys.Oldtvset783130_2

Reports from researchers iSuppli and NPD Group's DisplaySearch conclude that Sharp, which has led the flat-panel market for several years, was eclipsed by Samsung in 2006.

ISuppli said Samsung accounted for 14.6 percent of flat-panel TV shipments worldwide, with Royal Philips at 14.6 percent market share, Sharp at 13.3 percent and Sony at 12.7 percent.

DisplaySearch rated Samsung's market share at 13.4 percent, followed by Philips at 13 percent, Sony with 11.6 percent and Sharp at 11.4 percent.

Analysts said Sharp's main mistake was it didn't ramp up production capacity fast enough to meet booming demand for big-screen TVs.
LCD TV Pioneer Sharp Loses Market Lead[AP]