The global large-screen public display market is forecast to grow at 23% compounded annually from 2013 through 2017, according to the latest NPD DisplaySearch “Quarterly FPD Public Display Shipment and Forecast Report.” The growth comes after the first double-digit decline (18%) for the market in 2012, when LCD shipments were flat and plasma display panel (PDP) shipments collapsed. The positive outlook is reportedly attributable to an improving economy, demand from emerging countries, price erosion on larger size displays, and a potential uptick in demand tied to the 2014 World Cup.

The majority of this growth is expected to occur from an increase in the production and sales of large-screen LCD displays. According to NPD DisplaySearch, shipments of 60-in.+ displays grew by 89% year-over-year in 2012 and are expected to grow by another 35% in 2013. Strong growth is expected to continue during the forecast period, and 60-in.+ public displays are expected to pass 1 million units by 2017.

“The supply side has been preparing for this growth for several years, investing in new fabrication plants to manufacture larger size LCD panels,” said Todd Fender, senior analyst with NPD DisplaySearch. “Additionally, other panel manufacturers are focusing more attention on economical cuts from their current glass substrates, resulting in newer (slightly larger) sizes. Still others are experimenting with a newer technique called MMG (multi-model glass), where two different sized panel products are cut from the same generation glass substrate. This new production leads to increased competition, which leads to price erosion and eventually results in increased demand.”

For additional information, visit www.displaysearch.com.