Cheap Big Screen TVs On Their Way To A Best Buy Near You?
Big screen TVs are starting to become so ‘cheap’ that more and more Americans are opting to replace their once-coveted 50-inch big screen TVs with giant 65-inch and larger ones, reports the Associated Press. In fact, super-big screen TVs accounted for 25 percent of all TV sales within the past 12 months. Some expect this rate to climb to 30 percent by the end of this year. It’s as if the TV industry is slowly but surely entering the Land of the Giants!
According to research conducted by NPD Group, overall TV prices have dropped by 9 to 11 percent. For instance, the price for a 50-inch big screen TV has dropped from $648 to $573 in the span of only two years, which amounts to a drop of about 11.5 percent. The potential for even larger reductions in price remain very, very feasible.
This much-anticipated drop in prices is prompting numerous retailers like Target to expand their selection of big screen TV options. According to Target spokeswoman Jamie Bastian, the store just added a line of 70-inch TVs this past year. Keep in mind that according to Mashable, some manufacturers like Samsung are already making 85- and even 110-inch big screen TVs.
Target is certainly not the only company jumping on the bandwagon. Amazon plans to add 100-inch big screen TVs to its selection this year. Meanwhile, Walmart is looking to dedicate half of its in-store TV lineup to big ol’ 50-inch and 60-inch big screen TVs. Best Buy is also participating, but only by upping its stock of 55-inch TVs (which now suddenly seem to tiny in comparison to their significantly larger peers) by 20 percent.
One pivotal question still remains: Who in their right mind needs a gigantic ‘cheap’ television, besides of course people with extraordinarily bad eyesight? Think sports fanatics like Jarvis Jackson. He plans to spend a whopping $1,500 this year to purchase a 65-inch big screen TV. Why? Because football season is coming up! Duh!
Also think of video game nerds. Giant TVs provide them with a more immersive gaming experience. Last but not least, consider at-home movie watchers. Why pay an expensive theater fee when you can experience the same thing at home, courtesy a big-screen TV and killer stereo speakers?
So, are you ready to head to the store and buy one of these ‘cheap’ big screen TVs? Maybe? Maybe not? Regardless, make sure you read this PC Magazine guide on how to buy an HDTV before you do. Remember, knowledge is power!
Image via [Google Images]
