Sony nabs top position in 2006 big-screen TV sales

San Diego (CA) - While it may have seen more than its fair share of bad press during the past year, one victory Sony did take is that it was the best-selling big screen TV manufacturer in the US for 2006, according to final figures from research firm NPD Group.

According to NPD, Sony’s popular Bravia and Grand Wega lines of TVs led the market, as the company’s sales of 32+" televisions were higher than any other company in the US over the past 12 months. On top of that, Sony had the top dollar share for the entire TV market last year.

"The company was particularly strong in the big screen category, 32" and above, taking top position in terms of both dollar and units across the board, including LCD and micro-display," said Stephen Baker, industry analyst VP for NPD.

In total, Sony held about 24% of the industry’s dollar share at the end of 2006, and a 44% dollar share in the micro-display market. 29% dollar share of all LCD TVs also belonged to Sony, more than anyone else.

It is a silver lining for a company that had a very unfortunate year, with a massive laptop battery recall and production problems with the once anticipated PS3, causing Sony’s 2006 financial record to be significantly lower than the company had originally anticipated.

Sony’s next big innovation in TVs will be the Bravia Internet TV Link, a module that will fit on the back of select Bravia HDTVs to allow streaming of Web content directly through the TV’s main menu.