Sony makes exception for India on CRT TVs

Contrary to the global strategy, Japanese electronics firm Sony Corp has decided to continue with cathode ray tube televisions in India.

The move comes on the back of the potential for the conventional televisions in India in  spite of the rising popularity of LCDs and plasmas.

Masaru Tamagawa, managing director, Sony India, said, "Sony has ceased production of picture tubes used in colour televisions. However, in India since demand for conventional TVs still exists, the production and the sale of CRT TV will continue."

Industry watchers said high-end televisions were gaining popularity in urban markets, while first-time buyers and rural markets prefer conventional televisions.

Globally, Sony has taken a strategic decision to exit from the CRT TV business from this month-end due to a slow demand.

According to the company, production of cathode ray tubes in the current financial year is expected to fall by 40 per cent from the previous year to 2.8 million units, while shipments of liquid crystal displays are set to reach 10 million units.

The managing director Sony also said the company would transfer the marketing efforts to its Bravia range of LCD televisions.

According to the sources, Sony had reduced LCD prices to align with Korean duo LG Electronics and Samsung a few months back.

Tamagawa had earlier told Business Standard, "Though the potential in volume is not big, the company is targeting the upper-end consumers in India. The company plans to achieve leadership position in LCDs above 32" screen size and is targeting digital camera segment above Rs 10,000."