Rising TV Panel Costs Add Pressure to Q4 Pricing

TV manufacturers are facing higher panel costs as changing demand from the AI sector puts pressure on upstream material capacity. TrendForce expects total TV panel costs to increase by 4% to 7% quarter on quarter during the fourth quarter of 2026, while TV panel demand by unit is forecast to decline.

Key takeaways

• TrendForce expects total TV panel costs to rise by 4% to 7% quarter on quarter in Q4 2026 as AI-related demand competes for upstream material capacity.
• TV panel demand by unit is forecast to decline 4% quarter on quarter as peak-season inventory building comes to an end and customers face increased cost pressure.
• BOE, TCL CSOT and HKC are planning temporary production cuts in October, while the three leading mainland Chinese panel manufacturers now account for around 70% of supply.

What this means for traders

Higher panel costs could increase pricing pressure further through the TV supply chain, particularly if manufacturers are unable to absorb higher component costs. At the same time, planned production reductions are intended to control inventory and support stable panel pricing rather than allow excess supply to build. For distributors and traders, the combination of higher input costs, lower production and increasingly concentrated panel supply makes TV pricing and availability important areas to monitor during Q4.

Read the full article on TrendForce