Flat television prices down 8-10%

Television manufacturers have slashed prices of flat TVs by 8-10 per cent following a drop in picture tube prices globally.

As a result, the average price of a 29-inch flat colour television has come down to between Rs 20,000 and Rs 35,000 over the last three months from the Rs 22,000-Rs 38,500 range.

The average price of a 21-inch flat colour television has come down to between Rs 8,500 and Rs 13,500 from Rs 9, 200-14,600.

Mumbai-based dealers Vijay Sales and Sumaria Appliances have confirmed a cut in flat TV prices. LG, Samsung, Videocon, Philips, Onida, Sony, and Haier manufacture flat televisions in the country.

"Picture tube prices for 29-inch TV has come down to $80 from $90, while that of 21-inch flat picture tube has come down to $40 from $45," said S S Nabar, director, consumer electronics, Videocon.

Many flat TV manufacturers globally are moving to slim TVs (depth of the picture tube is further reduced). Consequently, there was less demand for flat picture tubes, dealers said.

An official spokesperson at Samsung said consumers are upbeat over the price cuts. "Flat TV sales for Samsung has grown by 111.8 per cent between January and April. During the last 12 months, we have sold about 20 lakh (2 million) TVs of which 90 per cent would be flat TVs," she said.

The big picture

• Picture tube prices for 29-inch TV has come down to $80 from $90, while that of 21-inch flat picture tube has come down to $40 from $45
• 29-inch flat CTV price has come down to between Rs 20,000 and Rs 35,000
• 21-inch flat CTV price has come down to between Rs 8,500 and Rs 13,500