Samsung is dominant when it comes to TVs.
Over one third of the televisions sold in the United States in October were manufactured by Samsung. That assisted in Samsung achieving record revenue: for the first time ever, Samsung sold over $1 billion worth of televisions in North America in one month alone.
Samsung’s share of both the United States and the global TV market has been climbing steadily over the past ten years. As the competition for the fate of the living room escalates, the dominant market share of Samsung could give it an advantage over firms seeking to dominate the living room, including handset partner Alphabet.
By the numbers
Citing data from research firm NPD, Samsung stated that its share of the United States TV market increased to 35.1% in October. In Canada, its sets were even more popular, where it captured 38.4% of the market. Samsung mentioned several initiatives to explain its success, such as its partnership with best buy for dedicated Samsung TV shops.
Prices for TVs have fluctuated over the last ten years, but even taking inflation into account, the increasing sales of Samsung are impressive. Samsung only sold about $100 million worth of TVs in North America in September 2004. Back then, Sony dominated most of the market, as well as companies such as Panasonic and Sharp. The move to flat panels was an advantage for Samsung, and was the top seller of TVs in the world by 2006. Samsung captured about 12% of the global TV market in 2007. According to WitsView, that figure rose to about 23% last year.
Like smartphones, Samsung sells a variety of televisions, targeting almost every segment of the market. Quality and size vary widely, and if you are looking for a new television, chances are that Samsung has a model for you irrespective of your budget.
Samsung scorns Android for Tizen
For years, Samsung has been manufacturing Internet-connected smart TVs. However, in 2015 it made quite a big change to its lineup: Samsung TVs are currently powered by Tizen – its mobile operating system – which is the same operating system that Samsung utilizes for some of its smartphones and its smartwatches.
Sony and a few other TV makers have adopted Alphabet’s competing Android TV for the smart TVs. Samsung TVs have defied, partly because of the pressure its smartphone business has experienced recently.
Samsung TVs will have to continue modifying the Tizen platform, and gain the interest of more third-party developers. However, given its huge share of the TV market, it may be able to succeed.
