Rural Markets in China Drove Entry-Level Chinese New Year TV Sales, IHS Says

LCD TV sales volume in China totaled 3.7 million units for the New Year season -- Feb. 2-22 -- a 4 percent rise over the year-ago holiday period, said research company IHS. TV sales were driven by third- and fourth-tier markets where lower income levels translated to growth in sales of entry-level TVs with smaller screen sizes. Major local Chinese brands gained share, especially in rural markets, while premium TVs “did not attract attention,” said IHS. Curved and high-color gamut TVs weren't a factor since they're not promoted in the domestic market and “imported models are quite expensive,” it said.