IDC cuts '08 LCD TV shipment f'cast; sees '09 growth

TAIPEI, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Market research firm IDC on Tuesday trimmed its forecast for global LCD TV shipments this year due to the economic slowdown, but it expects lower prices to spur fresh demand next year.

The U.S.-based firm now predicts unit shipments of flat-screen LCD TVs would hit 95 million this year, down 4 percent from 99 million units it projected previously, but the shipments could grow at least 15 percent in 2009.

"Given the expected continued aggressive ASP decline for next year, I still think there's going to be a robust demand," Eric Haruki, research director of IDC's TV markets and technologies, told a group of reporters in Taiwan.

Haruki said some big TV vendors, including Sony Corp (6758.T) and Samsung Electronics Co (005930.KS), have lowered prices of their TVs since the beginning of the year after panel prices weakened.

A slowing economy has forced most consumers to cut spending on new computers and flat-screen TVs, which has also pushed down prices of some key components such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and chips.

"I can see at least 15 percent unit growth year over year going into 2009, but again, it's going to be at the expense of serious revenue destruction," Haruki said.

However, IDC said major LCD panel makers, including Taiwan's AU Optronics Corp (2409.TW) (AUO.N) and Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp (3009.TW), should continue to cut production or they could face a severe supply glut next year.

Similarly, iSuppli Corp, another market researcher, has cut its forecast on global LCD TV shipments to 93.4 million units for this year, down nearly 6 percent from its previous forecast.

iSuppli also cut its 2009 forecast by 9 percent to 112.6 million units, but would still mean a 21 percent rise from 2008. (Reporting by Baker Li, Editing by Ken Wills)