Global television shipments are forecast to decline in 2027, but demand for premium models is expected to rise as manufacturers focus on higher-value products and advanced display technologies.

Research firm Omdia predicts global TV shipments will fall 1% year on year in 2027, while shipments of premium televisions with an average selling price above US$1,000 are projected to increase 9.3%. North America is expected to lead the growth, with premium TV shipments forecast to rise 21.9%.

The projections are included in Omdia’s second-quarter 2026 TV Sets Forecast Database. They highlight a shift in manufacturers’ strategies as slowing overall demand and rising component costs place pressure on profits.

Rising memory and component costs are putting pressure on entry-level TVs, with even small cost increases significantly affecting margins on lower-priced models. 

This leads manufacturers to shift their focus toward the higher value, premium models.

Display technology is expected to lead part of the premium segment’s growth with RGB LED backlighting emerging as a key premium TV technology. Manufacturers using it to improve colour reproduction, local dimming precision and peak brightness, providing consumers with more reasons to upgrade.

This category is forecast to account for 49% of global premium TV revenue by 2030, according to Omdia.

Meanwhile conventional-backlit LCD TVs are projected to represent just 2% of premium TV revenue by 2030, potentially signalling a shift in the technology mix at the higher end of the market.

The outlook highlights a growing divide between shipment volumes and product value. While overall TV shipments are expected to soften, premium models and advanced display technologies could give consumers stronger incentives to upgrade their televisions, particularly as brands compete to deliver more advanced viewing experiences.

The outlook also points to North America remaining a key market for premium televisions, supported by its forecast 21.9% shipment increase in 2027.