Record Demand for DTV in October 2001: Sales Likely To Surpass CEA Projections

Record Demand for DTV in October

New Figures Suggest 2001 Sales Likely To Surpass CEA Projections For The Year

Arlington, Va., November 26, 2001 - In October, manufacturers sold 187,464 digital television (DTV) products (integrated sets and monitors) to dealers, representing more than $3.4 million, according to sales figures released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). This is a 27 percent increase in unit sales from last month and is 113 percent more than the same period in 2000. The October sales figures suggest that 2001 sales likely will surpass CEA's initial forecast for the year.

CEA has been projecting sales of DTV sets and monitors to continue their rapid growth in the coming years, with unit sales of 1.1 million this year. The latest numbers bring the 2001 total to 1,050,460 units sold. Consumer dollar investment in DTV is projected to reach nearly $5 billion by the end of the year, as well, and CEA projects that 2.1 million DTV products will be sold in 2002, 4 million in 2003, 5.4 million in 2004, 8 million in 2005 and 10.5 million in 2006.

"We're so pleased to see continued demand for digital television - particularly in light of the current economy," said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "This is excellent news as we enter the 2001 holiday buying season where we expect DTV sales to remain strong."

Data cited in this release is available for purchase through CEA's Market Activity Reports and Analysis (MARA) program. With more than 500 reports published annually, the MARA program is recognized as the "authoritative source" for data on the consumer electronics industry. For a list of available reports and purchasing information, visit www.eBrain.org/mara or send an e-mail request to [email protected].