Friday, April 5, 2019

TV Cost History


March 1954: Westinghouse offers color TV for sale. Cost: $1,295. March 25, 1954: Mass production of first RCA Victor color sets, model CT-100. Cost: $1,000.

TV prototypes were developed in the 1930s and sold for $450 to $600. More advanced TV sets were developed and sold in the 1940s for $325 to $795. 

By the 1950s, black & white TVs had been redesigned and cost reduced and sold for $150 to $500. RCA, GE, Zenith, Philco, Magnavox and Admiral were the dominant brands.  ABC, NBC and CBS networks were airing programs and TV sales increased dramatically. 

In the 1960s, color TV sets began to replace black & white TVs and sold for $350 to $500.  Console TV, phonograph and radio combos sold for $1000.

In the 1970s, Sony, Sylvania and Sears brands entered the market. TVs were 27 inch color, with cathode ray picture tubes and costs ranged from $230 to $850.

In the 1980s, Toshiba and JVC entered the market and color sets sold for $500. Cable service began to replace antennas.

In the 1990s, Samsung entered the market and color sets sold for $350 to $750. TV screens in the 30 inch to 40 inch size began to appear.


In the late 1990s, flat screen TV were introduced to increase the size of the TV to 50 and 60 inches.  Costs ranged from $3000 to $6000 in 2012.  By 2017, costs had been reduced to $500 to $1500.


Comments

After 50 years of small screen TV from the 1950s to 2000, flat screen TVs applied new technology to improve the product and greatly reduce weight and cost.
Current prices for flat screen TVs are:
50 inch $350 Westinghouse
60 inch $500
65 inch $750
70 inch $1000
80 inch $3000

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

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