"We estimate probably 60 or 70 different brands out there of liquid crystal televisions. Sharp still maintains over 30 percent market share even with the variety of different brands that are out there."
Sharp is betting on LCD to win the battle over plasma technology...even though it is still a more expensive way to produce big flat screens for home theatres. The company is introducing a new 37 inch model for about 33 hundred dollars. A giant new 65 inch LCD TV has a suggested retail price of 21 thousand. Sounds like a lot…but, says Scaglione….prices have been coming down…
"The excitement in the industry seems to be in flat panel and with that comes an interest in buying these products…and economies of scale have kicked in. Meaning as people buy more flat panel products, the prices of those flat panels are moving down at a faster rate."
Again…Sharp is facing lots of competition…with some manufacturers selling smaller screen LCD TVs for 500 dollars or less. Bloomberg Boot Camp, I'm Fred Fishkin.