DTV SALES MAINTAIN EXPLOSIVE PACE
Hot New Digital Technology Continues to Exceed Expectations


Arlington, Va., November 11, 1999 - Factory sales of digital television (DTV) topped 20,000 units for the first month ever this October, bringing total year-to-date sales to 74,847, according to numbers released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA - formerly CEMA). Total sales since introduction now equal 88,023 units.

Actual DTV sales in October totaled 21,432 units, an increase of 42 percent over last monthís record setting mark of 15,060 units. The increase continues a yearlong trend in sales, in which each quarter shattered the mark set in the previous quarter. In the third quarter alone, sales increased by 81 percent over the second quarter. Trend analysis also shows that during the past three months (August through October) sales have increased by more than 270 percent ñ 27,237 units ñ over the previous three months (May through July).

"DTV is no longer the wave of the future, it is the here and now of cutting-edge television technology," said CEA President Gary Shapiro. "It's no coincidence that the huge growth in DTV sales coincided with an expansion in DTV content." While the progress made thus far is strong, we need more high-quality content to continue the momentum and bring the digital future to consumers today."

CEA had estimated DTV sales to total 120,000 sets from introduction through the end of 1999. Todd Thibodeaux, CEAís vice president of Market Research commented, "The very strong results posted in October, combined with two traditionally big industry months to come, places us right on track to meet our 15 month projection of 120,000 in sales. It also keeps momentum going into 2000."

CEA further estimates sales to reach 600,000 in the year 2000, and projects that the first 10 million sets will be sold by 2003, the next 10 million in 2004 and 2005, and 10.8 million to be sold in 2006.
CEA is a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), the 75-year-old Arlington, Virginia-based trade organization representing all facets of electronics manufacturing. CEA represents more than 500 U.S. manufacturers of audio, video, accessories, mobile electronics, communication, information technology and multimedia products that are sold through consumer channels.

CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES. Your Source for Workstyle and Lifestyle TechnologySM. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, product promotion, engineering standards development, market research and governmental and legal affairs support. As the first major technology event of the new millennium, the 2000 International CES is the launch pad for 21st century technology.