Facebook Pixel Code

Smart & 3D TVs to turn growth drivers for electronics cos

With the success of flat panel TVs and HDTVs in India, that led to a 40% jump in the sales of consumer electronic companies like Samsung, LG, and Sony, television set manufacturers are moving towards the next level of technology, by launching smart TVs and 3D TVs in the Indian market.

With the success of flat panel TVs and HDTVs (high definition TV) in India, that led to a 40% jump in the sales of consumer electronic companies like Samsung, LG, and Sony, television set manufacturers are moving towards the next level of technology, by launching smart TVs and 3D TVs in the Indian market. A smart TV essentially is a ‘connected TV with interactive features, internet browsing facilities and access to hundreds of paid apps (applications).

While this segment is still at a nascent stage in India, constituting less than 1% of the overall 3.2-million units flat panel TV market, it will touch 30 million units globally and is tipped to become an equivalent of the telecom industry’s smart phone. Raj Zutshi, MD, Samsung India said, ?Smart TVs will become the most dominant piece of technology in the market and will drive the business for consumer electronic companies.?

Samsung, the market leader in flat panel TVs in India, with 46% share, looks to sell 1 lakh units of smart TVs by the end of this year. Ruchika Batra, general manager, Samsung Electronics India, said, ?The flat panel TV segment is witnessing exponential growth. We sold 1.5 million units last year, growing by 100%. We launched 3D-enabled smart TVs in April this year, and expect 15% of our total flat panel sales to come from this segment.? She also added, ?Riding on smart TVs, Samsung’s total sales from the consumer electronics division will grow to 50% of its total turnover of R16,000 crore.?

The new smart technology is generating curiosity, but it is still early days to figure out how much of this translates into sales. Ajit Joshi, CEO & MD, Infiniti Retail which operates eletronics chain Croma, said, ?It is too early to share smart TV sales figures, but this new technology has generated ample interest in consumers, with lot of curiosity about the TV’s features and applications. Despite it being a premium product, we expect sales to pick up in a big way this year.?

Other players in the space like LG Electronics, also rolled out its series of 3D smart TVs, that offer 2D to 3D conversion facility, internet applications and a host of other high-end features. Soon Kwon, MD, LG Electronics said, ?We look to capture 50% of the 3D TV market in India, and have invested R300 crore for the promotion of this range. 3D smart TVs are the future, but content will be the key differentiating factor.?

In order to woo consumers, firms are striking deals with content developers to provide integrated entertainment offerings on their range of smart TVs. Zutshi added, ?To bring alive the smart TV experience, we?ve gone for content tie ups with major content developers like Times Music, NDTV Convergence and Moneycontrol.? LG, too, has tied up with NDTV, Indiatimes, Hungama, Zapak and Carwale to provide local content ranging from music and movies to games and social networking features.

Sony Corp, which sold 7.5 lakh units of flat panel TVs last year, looks to increase its market share in the segment to 40%, from its current 35%, by rolling out its smart TV series soon. Masaru Tamagawa, MD, Sony India says, ?Our flat panel brand, Bravia, forms 35% of Sony’s total sales. Consumers with HDTVs will upgrade to smart TVs and we look to sell 2.5 lakh units in two years.?

Get live Share Market updates, Stock Market Quotes, and the latest India News and business news on Financial Express. Download the Financial Express App for the latest finance news.

First published on: 18-05-2011 at 02:37 IST
Market Data
Market Data
Today’s Most Popular Stories ×