With December Numbers in NPD Confirms Sony Still America's Best-Selling Big Screen TV Manufacturer

With December Numbers in NPD Confirms Sony Still America's Best-Selling Big Screen TV Manufacturer

Company Tops Competition in LCD and Micro-display 32-inches and Larger

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers made Sony the best-selling big screen TV manufacturer in 2006 in the United States as sales of the company's line of BRAVIA(TM) flat-panel LCD and Grand WEGA(TM) micro-displays topped all competition in screen sizes 32-inches and above, according to The NPD Group's retail tracking service.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070119/NYF102 )

Sony was also the top overall TV industry manufacturer in total dollars and units for 2006, according to NPD.

"The final December numbers confirm that Sony captured the top spot in the United States for the overall TV category in terms of both dollars and units," said Stephen Baker, vice president of Industry Analysis for NPD. "The company was particularly strong in the big screen category ... 32-inch and above, taking top position in terms of both dollar and units across the board, including LCD and micro-display."

Sony was also number one in terms of units and dollars in 2006 in 32-inch and above in "digital televisions," which combines LCD, PDP and micro-display televisions, Baker said.

Specifically, in total television, Sony holds more than 24 percent of the industry's dollar share, which is 20 percent in total dollar volume ahead of the next closest competitor. The company also edged out the competition in total TV unit share for the category.

In micro-display, Sony dominated the industry holding a dollar share of more than 44 percent and a unit share of 42 percent of the entire category, which was nearly 80 percent greater in dollars and more than 50 in units than the nearest competitor.

The company also took the top dollar share in the entire LCD category with close to 29 percent, which was 34 percent ahead in total dollar volume than the nearest competitor.

"Consumers ultimately decide the TV of choice and that TV is a Sony," said Randy Waynick, senior vice president of Sony's Home Products Division. "There's plenty of competition from new and established brands in the market, but the numbers confirm that performance and quality rank highest with consumers. When considering the purchase of their primary television, 32-inches or larger, Sony is clearly America's favorite."

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070119/NYF102
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN5
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Sony Electronics, Inc.

CONTACT: Greg Belloni, +1-858-942-4460, greg.belloni@am.sony.com, or
David Migdal, +1-201-930-7394, david.migdal@am.sony.com, both of Sony
Electronics, Inc.

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