The global TV market will return to growth in 2013 after shipments fell by 6% last year, with growth continuing out to 2017 according to a new report from Futuresource Consulting.

Emerging markets will grow by 6% this year, accounting for over 60% of worldwide TV volumes, according to the analysts. Some 4% CAGR are expected to 2017, when annual shipments will exceed 270 million units and emerging markets will account for 67%.

The analysts reckon next-generation 4K ultra-high definition TV still has a two to three year incubation period ahead. Global 4K TV shipments will grow from just 62,000 units last year, to 780,000 in 2013 and 22 million units in 2017. "The arrival of native 4K content and increased consumer awareness will help boost sales from 2015 onwards," says Simon Bryant, head of Consumer Electronics at Futuresource.

China is currently at the forefront of 4K rollout, driven by relatively low-priced sets from its major domestic brands. However, Futuresource expects most global TV brands to launch a range of 4KTVs by the end of this year, with North America tipped to be a key market due to strong consumer appetite for large screens.

"LCD TV panel manufacturers and premium TV brands have been looking for the next hot trigger to accelerate flat panel replacement. 3D in the home was an attempt to achieve this and it has yet to become the solid success that many had hoped for," Bryant said. "4K represents a more natural progression for the industry, but one that brings its own challenges, not least the intricacies of producing 4K panels at high yield rates and the complexities of delivering the bandwidth-hungry content."

Story filed 19.07.13