The evolution of televisions over the last twenty years has been truly remarkable. From bulky cathode-ray tube (CRT) sets to today’s slim flat-panels, the change encompasses not just aesthetics and technology, but also affordability and accessibility.As we examine the change in average TV screen size and price between 2004 and 2019, a picture of consumer-driven innovation and market adaptability comes into sharp focus.
In 2004, a standard television screen measured an average of 25.4 inches diagonally with a selling price hovering around $552. Fast forward 15 years, and the average screen has nearly doubled in size to 47 inches while the average selling price has dropped to $336. This startling shift in the electronics landscape begs the question: How did we get here?
The driving force behind this trend is clear—consumers desire larger screens. “Screen sizes keep getting bigger and that has proven to drive interest and demand,” said Steven Baker, VP of industry analysis at NPD group. The psychological impact of a larger screen, which provides a more immersive viewing experience, cannot be overstated.
The advent of flat-panel LCD, plasma, and OLED technologies meant that as televisions grew smarter, they also expanded in size without the significant increase in weight and bulk that characterized their CRT predecessors. A typical 32-inch CRT TV once weighed over 100 pounds; nowadays, a 65-inch LCD or OLED is a one-person lift.
But it’s not just the technology that’s evolved—the market has as well. The emergence of online retail giants like Amazon and the increased presence of big-box stores such as Walmart, Target, and Costco in the TV market have made purchasing easier and cheaper. These retailers, with their ability to offer lower prices and convenient shopping, have revolutionized consumer buying habits. Steven Baker noted, “Price points for high-quality, large screen TVs have fallen so much that a broader swath of consumers can easily afford to buy one.”
Perhaps one of the most astonishing metrics illustrating this trend is the cost per square inch of screen. In 2004, a square inch of screen was more than five times as expensive as it was in 2019. Factoring in inflation, the cost had decreased by more than seven times. Indeed, the economies of scale, combined with advancements in automation and production efficiency.
The shift in the TV market has also seen a change in industry leadership. The past 15 years have witnessed the ascension of Korean and Chinese brands such as Samsung, LG, and TCL, which have overtaken former Japanese giants like Mitsubishi, Hitachi, and Panasonic. Samsung, having invested heavily in LCD and its variants, has retained the top spot in the global market for more than a decade.
We stand on the cusp of another leap in screen size affordability, with 85-inch models poised to dip below the $1,000 mark soon.The technology overcomes barriers like shipping and installation with innovations like modular MicroLED and rollable OLED, one thing remains certain: our living rooms will continue to be adorned with increasingly larger windows to the world of entertainment, at prices that make them accessible to a wider audience than ever before.