Declining prices, rising consumer acceptance and increasingly efficient panel production are spurring faster-than-expected growth in sales of LCD-TVs, prompting the leading research group iSuppli Corp. to raise its forecast of worldwide shipments.

iSuppli has boosted its forecast of growth in unit shipments of LCD-TVs for each year from 2006 though 2009. Worldwide LCD-TV shipments are expected to rise to 61.2 million units in 2009, expanding at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 47.2 percent from 8.9 million units in 2004. iSupplis previous forecast, issued in the second quarter, foresaw total shipments of 55.1 million units by 2009, rising at a CAGR of 44.1 percent from 2004.

The outlook for 2005 was also raised, with shipments expected to grow to 17.1 million units, up 94 percent from 2004. iSuppli previously predicted growth in 2005 of 88.6 percent to 16.7 million units.

LCD-TVs have experienced faster-than-expected shipments due to increased consumer acceptance and declining prices, said Riddhi Patel, senior analyst, television systems for iSuppli. Furthermore, panel makers are expanding their production capacities to fuel demand and encourage greater adoption.

Prices for LCD-TV panels have fallen substantially during the last two quarters, a trend that will be reflected in lower finished-set prices this year. The Average Selling Price (ASP) of LCD-TVs in the 30- to 34-inch size range is expected to decline to $1,548 in the fourth quarter, down 22.5 percent from $1,997 in the first quarter.

For more information go to  www.isuppli.com