In 2020, Samsung topped the global TV market for the 15th consecutive year, according to research firm Omdia. It was followed by LG and Sony.

15 consecutive years
Samsung's TV market share was 31.9% in terms of sales revenue in 2020, up from 30.9% in 2019, according to Omdia. Figures for unit sales were not provided.

The South Korean company became the world's top TV maker in 2006 when it launched the 'Bordeaux'-designed LCD TVs, and it has led the TV market ever since. For 15 consecutive years. It illustrates how LCD technology continues to dominate the market and how Samsung's early and heavy investments in the area paid off, despite some misfires along the way such as 3D TVs and curved TVs.

In 2020, Samsung was followed by local rival LG with a 16.5% global market share in terms of sales revenue, and Sony with a 9.1% market share. Combined, South Korean TV makers captured close to 50% of the TV market last year.


 Samsung TVs from 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2014

Mainly low-end TVs
Omdia claims that Samsung sold 7.79 million "QLED" LCD TVs in 2020 while LG sold 2.04 million OLED TVs. However, it is meaningless to compare sales numbers between the two. QLED is a marketing term for LCD TVs that is being stretched to cover plain mid-range LCD TVs whereas OLED is a new type of display technology.

The report noted that "QLED", which ranges from the inexpensive 5-series (Q5x) to high-end 9 series (Q9x), accounts for 35.5% of Samsung's TV sales revenue, meaning that the bulk of Samsung's TV unit sales are low-end LCD TVs. In late 2020, Omdia said that Samsung could top 49 million TV unit sales for the year.

Samsung is also seeing strong performance in the premium segment ($2500 or higher) on the back of its ultra-large TVs, with a 50.8% market share in the segment for 80-inch or larger TVs.

Global TV shipments totaled 225 million in 2020, according to Omdia's estimates.

To celebrate its strong, multi-year performance Samsung released this timeline.


 - Source: Samsung (2), Korea Herald