It’s reported that the use of LED backlights in LCD TVs will start to grow rapidly from 2009 as TV makers introduce slimmer models.

According to expert analysis, Slim LCD TV with LED Light Source Application Rise Radically to Reach 26 Million Shipments in Shipments of LCD TVs that use LED backlights are forecast to exceed 10 million units in 2010. After a slow start, with only 2.4% penetration in 2009, or 3.3 million units, LED usage in LCD TV backlights will grow to 25.6 million units in 2011 and 52.3 million units in 2012, with the latter figure representing more than 25% market penetration.

Also, unlike the incumbent cold-cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) technology, LED is environmental friendly because mercury is not utilized. Such characteristics will further accelerate LED employment, LED makers are searching for the new ‘killer application’ after mobile phones.

In 2004, Sony employed RGB LEDs and launched an LCD TV with LED backlights for the first time in the industry. In 2007, Samsung Electronics launched products using white LEDs. These two companies have been leading the LED-backlit LCD TV market, and major TV makers including LG, Sharp, Hitachi and Philips have joined them this year.