Consumers continue to buy TVs in large numbers and 4K TVs are now entering the mainstream market with annual shipments reaching 100 million this year, according to Futuresource.

4K TVs have gone mainstream
Global TV sales amount to around 220 million annually, depending on who you ask, and over 100 million of those will feature 4K resolution this year.

- “This year, we’re expecting annual 4K UHD TV shipments to power past 100 million units,” said Tristan Veale, Market Analyst, Futuresource, “And the market will continue to grow with double-digit CAGR throughout our forecasting period to 2022.”

China leads the way as it is the “largest single market for 4K UHD”, according to Futuresource. North America has also seen strong uptake of 4K and Europe shows positive signs with about 30% growth in shipments of 4K TVs this year.

- "When it comes to the content, SVoD remains the primary gateway for consumers to get their UHD fix” Veale added. “Netflix is the key service driving UHD SVoD spend. Depending on the country, around 20 percent to 30 percent of subscribers have opted for the UHD premium tier.”

There is also good news for 4K compatible media streamers that will grow 85% in 2018 as well as the UHD Blu-ray format.

- “UHD Blu-ray content continues to progress ahead of the expectations of many, with global consumer spend on track to reach $360 million this year. UHD Blu-ray has held onto its price premium and, as a result, consumer spend continues to outperform digital sell-through of UHD, despite the volumes being almost identical.”



HDR in over half of new 4K TVs
Futuresource claims that HDR (High Dynamic Range) is now included in over half of all 4K TVs sold worldwide. The company did not break down the numbers. While many TV manufacturers will claim to support HDR, only LCD TVs with full array local dimming and OLED TVs have the hardware to reproduce actual HDR.

- “What’s more, high dynamic range – HDR – is beginning to make its presence felt and will be included in over half of all 4K UHD TVs sold worldwide in 2018, though consumer understanding remains limited.”

4K is now entering the mainstream and the content situation is improving. The first 4K TVs arrived in 2012 so it took about 6-7 years to get here, which may serve as a guideline for the next phase as manufacturers are now preparing to move to 8K.

- Source: Futuresource