More than 50% of U.S. households own a digital TV, the Consumer Electronics Association said Friday.
The trade group for CE firms said it also expects TV manufacturers to ship nearly 32 million units in 2008.
“I am proud to announce our nation has hit this digital milestone. With 50% of U.S. homes able to experience the reality of digital television, we have crossed a critical threshold,” CEA president Gary Shapiro said in Friday’s announcement.
CEA said HDTVs are expected to account for 79% of total digital TV shipments in 2008.
According to new CEA sales projections, manufacturers will see revenue from digital TV sales jump 11% in 2007 to more than $25 billion.
CEA also forecasts 13% revenue and 17% unit sales growth for digital television in 2008.
CEA said it plans to release additional DTV sales information on Jan. 5 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. CEA industry analyst Steve Koenig and CEA economist Shawn DuBravac will lead the session.
Other CES panels focused on digital TV include the “Goodbye Analog, Hello DTV” session on Jan. 7, at 1:30 p.m.
And on Jan. 8, at 10:30 a.m., Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin will sit down for an interview with CEA’s Shapiro to discuss the digital TV transition.
