Super Bowl XL Kicks off the Year of HD, Says CEA; CEA Figures Show Super Bowl and Other HD Sporting Events Will Help Drive HD Set Sales

Business Wire, Jan 30, 2006

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Super Bowl XL is proving to be a huge driver in the sales of digital television (DTV) products - especially high-definition televisions (HDTV), according to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA(R)). Based on figures released today by CEA, November and December 2005 factory-to-dealer sales of DTV products hit 2.3 million, marking a 35 percent increase over November and December 2004 sales.

November 2005 DTV sales were the highest for the year, which is directly attributed to consumer electronics retailers stocking their shelves in preparation for holiday and Super Bowl purchases. Overall, total DTV sales for 2005 reached more than 12 million units and $17 billion in revenue, an increase of 60 percent compared to year-end 2004. High-definition products comprised 85 percent of total sales.

A recent survey, "Inside the Mind of the HD Sports Fan" conducted by CEA, shows sports enthusiasts are driving the sales of new high-definition television. Nearly 50 percent of HDTV owners cited HD sports programming as the primary force behind their HDTV purchase. Out of sports fans, 78 percent said the Super Bowl was their favorite sport to watch in HD.

"CEA forecasts HDTV will outsell analog sets by more than 89 percent in 2006," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. "The constant exponential momentum throughout 2005 and the exciting HD programming in 2006 - like the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics and the World Cup - give me confidence that DTV and HDTV sales will hit new levels this year."

Data cited in this release is available for purchase through CEA's Market Activity Reports and Analysis (MARA) program. Which more than 500 reports published annually, the MARA program is recognized as the "authoritative source" for data on the consumer electronics industry.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,000 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $125 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.

CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

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--  2006 CEA Winter Summit
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